Two Cavan men have pleaded guilty to assisting the IRA in the furtherance of its aims at a sitting of the Special Criminal Court on Wednesday afternoon.
Desmond Smith (64) and Stephen Hamill (51) were both arrested in February last year by members of the Special Detective Unit of An Garda Síochána.
At a brief arraignment on Wednesday, Smith, with an address at Kilnavara Crescent, Co Cavan, pleaded guilty to 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 18th, 2021, within the State.
The offence is contrary to section 21a of the Offences against the State Act 1939 as inserted by section 49 of the Criminal Justice (Terrorist Offences) Act 2005.
Mr Hamill, of Willow Ridge, Gortnakesh, Co Cavan, pleaded guilty to the same offence on March 13th, 2021.
Ms Justice Caroline Biggs, presiding at the three-judge court, adjourned sentencing until May 15th. Both men are on bail.
