Commissioner tells trial he "100%" believes accused is IRA member

An Assistant Garda Commissioner has testified at the Special Criminal Court that he holds a "100 per cent" belief that a Cork man charged with IRA membership is indeed a member of that organisation. Martin McHale, aged 53, from Togher, Cork, has pleaded not guilty to membership of an unlawful organisation styling itself the Irish Republican Army on 2nd November 2013. McHale was arrested in Monaghan with bags of nitrogen fertiliser discovered in a van he was driving. The Assistant Commissioner stated his opinion was based on material in his possession but claimed privilege over its disclosure, citing State security and protection of lives. Detective evidence indicated McHale had attended court proceedings involving a man subsequently convicted of IRA membership. Forensic evidence confirmed McHale's DNA profile on gloves recovered from the van. McHale has stated he travelled to Monaghan for a social visit and was unaware of the fertiliser's presence. The three-judge trial continues before Ms Justice Isobel Kennedy and two co-judges.