FOLLOWING their arrest last Thursday after members of the Special Detective Unit of An Garda Siochana intercepted a car carrying rocket launcher type devices, two Limerick men have been charged with membership of the IRA before a special sitting on the Special Criminal Court in Dublin.
The pair were arrested on Thursday last outside Cahir when the gardai stopped the car following a period of surveillance. Noel Noonan, 34, and Thomas McMahon, 31, were arrested on Thursday night near Cahir, Co Tipperary as part of an investigation into the activities of dissident republicans.
With an address at North Claughan Rd, Garryowen, Noel Noonan and Thomas McMahon of Ros Fearna, Murroe, were charged with membership of an unlawful organisation within the State.
The charge relates to the membership of a group styling itself the Irish Republican Army, otherwise Oglaigh na hÉireann, otherwise the IRA.
Detective Garda Brendan Tighe told State solicitor Gareth Henry that he formally arrested Mr Noonan at 5pm on Saturday afternoon in Cahir Garda Station after he believed that, at the time, the accused was an active member of the illegal group.
Mr Noonan gave no reply when the charge was read over to him and he was given a true copy. Thomas McMahon said OK when the same procedure was followed when he was charged by det gda Ronan O’Driscoll at Clonmel Garda Station.
There was no application for bail and both men were remanded in custody until next Friday.
