Suspected IRA member on bail pending landmark challenge

[Carrier]

It's shockingly easy for the State to lock-up republicans for long periods of time when they want to. Hopefully, everyone who is serving time for membership is released and they get nice fat cheque to compensate them for the time they've spent inside.

[Carrier]

The beginning of the end of the word of a Garda [Chief] superintendent being enough to jail someone for 5 years?

Seven, actually.

And wasn't there a case of a guy being given two seperate sentences for membership between two sets of dates? It's unreal. Also, why did the provo lads who were sent down only get 4 years? Is it a cease-fire thing?

[Bogwarrior]

The beginning of the end of the word of a Garda [Chief] superintendent being enough to jail someone for 5 years?

Seven, actually.

And wasn't there a case of a guy being given two seperate sentences for membership between two sets of dates? It's unreal. Also, why did the provo lads who were sent down only get 4 years? Is it a cease-fire thing?

Liam Campbell, as far as I know was sentenced to 6 years for membership then recharged whilst in custody and given another 5 years for the same charge, but on a different date. Interned basically. Egyptian style justice system.

[merle haggard]

A man in his late 50s was done too . The guards found a leg of a chair lying in his back garden which they argued was a grenade part , that was him done for membership . A few others were done for possession of a wreath which got them membership. A guard who claimed he was off duty said he noticed a man purchase a wreath and decided to follow him . He claimed he ( still off duty) saw them lay the wreath at a republican plot . That got people done in the SCC for membership . Others were done while meeting openly in a public bar in broad daylight . The garda claimed in their opinion a few guys sitting in a busy hotel bar was an IRA meeting . More membership charges . Oppose Stormont and your rights simply fly out the window .

Never heard many complaints from the shinners about this stuff until it happened a few of their own . I suppose anyone complaining about them would end up like Francie Molloy so you cant really blame most of them for keeping schtum .

[padraig]

A man in his late 50s was done too . The guards found a leg of a chair lying in his back garden which they argued was a grenade part , that was him done for membership . A few others were done for possession of a wreath which got them membership. A guard who claimed he was off duty said he noticed a man purchase a wreath and decided to follow him . He claimed he ( still off duty) saw them lay the wreath at a republican plot . That got people done in the SCC for membership . Others were done while meeting openly in a public bar in broad daylight . The garda claimed in their opinion a few guys sitting in a busy hotel bar was an IRA meeting . More membership charges . Oppose Stormont and your rights simply fly out the window .

Never heard many complaints from the shinners about this stuff until it happened a few of their own . I suppose anyone complaining about them would end up like Francie Molloy so you cant really blame most of them for keeping schtum .

Well it shows that your only new to this forum, members of Sinn Fein have often condemmed the actions of the SCC, and the use of the Offences against the state act on this forum.

[Bogwarrior]

But only since the Dublin PSF people were charged, Padraig. PSF T.Ds in the Dail had a chance to vote against this draconian law in 1998, but chose(or were told) to abstain. As far as I know, only the Socialist TD's voted against it.

[Libero]

But only since the Dublin PSF people were charged, Padraig. PSF T.Ds in the Dail had a chance to vote against this draconian law in 1998, but chose(or were told) to abstain. As far as I know, only the Socialist TD's voted against it.

That's not true.

Looking at the Dáil report for the Report and Final Stages of the Offences against the State (Amendment) Bill, 1998 (02 September, 1998), the vote was carried since after deputies indicated a house in favour of the legislation, fewer than ten members claimed a division. It was clear from hours and hours of debate that the Bill had the support of Fine Gael and was going to be carried by the House. There was no need for a full formal vote to repeat the outcome of the vote at Committee stage.

Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin TD was one of those who claimed a division, as the report shows below. He also voted against the legislation at Committee stage, as did Joe Higgins, the Greens and the Labour Party.

Mrs. Owen: Question put.

Deputies: Vótáil.

An Ceann Comhairle Séamus Pattison
[188] An Ceann Comhairle: Will the Deputies who are claiming a division please rise?.

Deputies Gormley, Gregory, Higgins (Dublin West), Ó Caoláin and Sargent rose.

An Ceann Comhairle Séamus Pattison
An Ceann Comhairle: As fewer than ten Members have risen I declare the question carried. The names of the Deputies dissenting will be recorded in the Journal of the proceedings of the Dáil.

Question declared carried.

The Dáil adjourned at 11.40 p.m. until 2.30 p.m. on Wednesday, 30 September 1998.
http://www.oireachtas-debates.gov.ie...809020007.html

[The OD]

One of the most ant-democratic laws on the statue book. For instance one could be jailed on the word of a certain Kevin Lennon. Surely that possibility alone should make the law redundant.

The statute allows for the acceptance into evidence of an opinion. The Superintendent's evidence is not conclusive. The Constitution forbids that any evidence be considered conclusive, as judicial power must reside with the Court.

An opinion should mean nothing though in a court of law.

Facts should be the only currency that they deal with.

Damn straight.

I would let a Garda walk my dog, my distrust of them is so deep.

And I am an upstanding, loyal citizen by ever other measure.