Updated 9.30am

TWO SLIGO MEN have appeared at an out-of-term sitting of the Special Criminal Court charged with membership of the IRA.

Damhan McFadden (27) of Kilmacowen, Ballysadare and Julian Flohr (35) of Rusheen Ard, Caltra, both in county Sligo, were charged with membership of an unlawful organisation styling itself the Irish Republican Army on 14 August.

Garda Kieran Staed, of Sligo garda station, told state solicitor Liam Mulholland that he arrested McFadden yesterday at 5.25pm on Pearse Road in Sligo.

The garda cautioned McFadden, to which the accused man made no reply, the court heard.

Garda Staed said that he informed McFadden he was to be brought before the Special Criminal Court and detained him at Sligo garda station.

He transported McFadden to the Special Criminal Court yesterday, the court heard, and showed him the charge sheet.

Again, McFadden made no reply, Garda Staed said.

Garda Eamon McDonnell, also of Sligo garda station, told Mulholland that he arrested Flohr yesterday at 5.26pm.

When the garda cautioned Flohr, the accused man made no reply, the court heard.

Garda McDonnell said that he then informed Flohr that he was to be brought before the Special Criminal Court to be charged with the offence for which he was arrested.

Later, at the court, the garda showed Flohr the charge sheet and explained it in ordinary language, the court heard.

Again, McFadden made no reply, Garda McDonnell said.

Justice Tony Hunt, presiding with Judge Sinéad Ní Chúlacháin and Judge William Hamill, remanded both men in custody until Friday, 19 August, when their case is listed for mention and they are to appear via videolink.

Comments are closed as the case is before the courts.

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