Two men from Cavan have pleaded guilty in the Special Criminal Court to assisting the IRA. 64-year-old Desmond Smith from Kilnavara Crescent, Co Cavan and 51-year-old Stephen Hamill of Willow Ridge, Gortnakesh, Co Cavan are each charged with 'knowingly rendering assistance to an organisation styling itself the Irish Republican Army, otherwise Óglaigh na hÉireann, otherwise the IRA, in the performance or furtherance of an unlawful object on May 18, 2021 within the State.
Stephen Hamill pleaded guilty to the offence on March 13th. Desmond Smith appeared at a brief arraignment at the three-judge court yesterday and also pleaded guilty to the same offence. Both men were arrested in February by members of the of the Special Detective Unit of An Garda Siochana. Hamill and Smith are on bail awaiting sentencing which presiding judge Ms Justice Caroline Biggs adjourned until May 15th.
