One of the “Hooded Men” in court with four others charged with assisting the IRA

Kevin Hannaway

Belfast man Kevin Hannaway, part of a group known as the “Hooded Men” who are seeking revision of a controversial judgment on their detention during the troubles, has been appeared before the Special Criminal Court this evening charged with assisting the IRA.

Mr Hannaway (67) and four co-accused were arrested on Saturday afternoon as part of an operation targeting dissident republican activity in the Dublin Region, led by the garda Special Detective Unit, Emergency Response Unit and Crime and Security Branch.

He is one of a group of men detained by British security forces during the troubles who are seeking revision of a controversial 1978 judgment of the European Court of Human Rights, which said their treatment was “inhuman and degrading” but was not torture.

Kevin Hannaway, of Collin Mill, Belfast was this evening (Monday) charged with knowingly rendering assistance to an unlawful organisation styling itself the Irish Republican Army, otherwise Oglaigh na hEireann, otherwise the IRA, whether directly or indirectly in the performance or furtherance of an illegal object on August 7^th and 8^th, 2015.

His co-accused Edward O’Brien (41), of Hazelcroft Road, Finglas, Dublin 11 and Eva Shannon (59) of Oakman Street, Belfast are charged with the same offence on the same date.

David Nooney (52) of Coultry Green, Ballymun, Dublin 11, and Sean Hannaway (47), of Linden Gardens, Belfast are each charged with membership of an unlawful organisation within the State, namely an organisation styling itself the Irish Republican Army, otherwise Oglaigh na hEireann, otherwise the IRA on August 8^th, 2015.

Detective Garda Connor Morgan told State Solicitor Mr Michael O’Donovan that he formally arrested Kevin Hannaway at Tower Road, Clondalkin Dublin 22 at 2:50pm this afternoon.

Det Gda Morgan said that he explained to the accused man the reason for his arrest in ordinary language and cautioned him, to which Mr Hannaway replied: “I understand”.

He said that at the time he believed the accused man, who appeared before the court wearing a grey blazer and slacks, had committed the offence for which he was arrested.

Mr O’Donovan told the court that his application was for a remand in custody for all five accused.

Judge Martin Nolan, presiding, remanded the five in custody to appear before the court again on August 17^th.