Two Dublin men arrested as part of a Garda Special Branch investigation into dissident republicans have been charged with membership of an illegal organisation and firearms and explosives offences at a special sitting of the Special Criminal Court in Dublin.
Gareth Kelly (23), Wheatfield Avenue, Clondalkin, and Robert Humphreys (44), Elmdale Crescent, Ballyfermot, were last night remanded in custody until Friday after a brief appearance at the court.
Mr Kelly was charged with the unlawful possession of a .38 Colt revolver and six rounds of ammunition at his home yesterday and with membership of an illegal organisation, the IRA, on the same date.
Mr Humphreys was charged with the unlawful possession of explosive substances - one improvised electrical detonator, two coils of electrical wire for detonating commercial explosives and two panel-mounted time delay relays - at his home yesterday.
He was also charged with membership of the IRA, on the same date.
Det Sgt John Kearney of the Special Detective Unit gave evidence of arresting Mr Kelly at his home in Clondalkin on Monday on suspicion of membership of an unlawful organisation and on suspicion of possession of firearms.
Det Chief Supt Philip Kelly of the unit told the court that he authorised their detention for a further 24 hours. In Mr Kelly's case, a firearm had gone for examination and the results were not to hand when he authorised the further detention.
Both men were remanded in custody until Friday when a bail application is expected to be made.
Surgeon in court over suspension
A consultant surgeon suspended from August 2003 until last January has begun a High Court action for damages against the Minister for Health and members of a committee set up to inquire into a proposal to remove him from office.
Peter Finlay SC, for William P. Joyce, a consultant surgeon at Cavan General Hospital, of Derrycramph, Co Cavan, told the president of the High Court, Mr Justice Joseph Finnegan, yesterday that on January 20th last a letter from the Minister had stated that the suspension had been lifted with effect from December 23rd.
Despite this Mr Joyce had been asked to leave the hospital when he thought he could return and he was asked to sign up to 21 conditions for his return.
In a statement of claim it was alleged that Mr Joyce, during the hearing of a committee of inquiry, was concerned about the conduct of the chairman and had often detected a strong smell of alcohol from him.
The hearing continues.