SEVEN men have been charged with membership of the IRA following their arrest by gardai investigating dissident republican activity in Dublin.
The accused were all arrested during an operation in Tallaght on Wednesday and were detained at four different garda stations before being brought before a sitting of the Special Criminal Court last night.
An eighth man who was taken into custody and detained at the same time was released without charge.
The seven were all remanded in custody for four days after no bail applications were made on their behalf.
The three-judge court heard heard two of the accused denied the charges against them, while the rest made no reply when cautioned.
The accused men are Kevin Braney (39) of Glenshane Crescent, Declan Phelan (31) from Lanndale Lawns, John Brock (41) of Glenview Park and Peter Burns (39) from Glenshane Crescent, all in Tallaght.
Also charged are Brian Nick McBennett (54) of Ardcollum Avenue, Artane, Michael Barr (33) of Carlton Court, Poppintree, Ballymun, and Desmond Christie (49) of Liam Mellowes Road, Finglas West.
They are all charged with membership of an unlawful organisation – the IRA – at a location within the State on July 3 last.
The charge is under Section 47 of the Offences Against the State Act.
Several detective gardai and sergeants gave evidence of formally arresting the accused yesterday evening outside Ballyfermot, Tallaght, Lucan and Clondalkin Garda Stations.
CAUTION
They were then taken to the Criminal Courts of Justice where they were charged in the precincts.
The arresting officers said none of the men replied to the charges after caution, except Brian Nick McBennett, who replied: "I am not a member," and Michael Barr, who said: "I am not a member of the IRA or any illegal organisation."
State Solicitor Michael O'Donovan said he was applying for a remand in custody for at least 48 hours in relation to all the accused.
Counsel for the accused consented to the case being adjourned until Tuesday, with no bail applications made.
Judge Paul Butler granted legal aid in most cases, and said he would backdate it in those cases where the prosecution was requesting a statement of the defendants' financial means.
All requested a transcript of the hearing, while some also asked the judge to make an order for disclosure of tapes of interview in the garda stations.
None of the seven men stood when they were asked to do so as the charges were being read out to them in the court.
The courtroom was packed with family members and friends of the seven men.
Several spoke briefly to the accused men as they left the courtroom.
