vincent ryan trial, darragh evans, special criminal court, dissident republicans

A brother of murdered dissident republican Alan Ryan and another man will stand trial at the Special Criminal Court next year for IRA membership.

Vincent Ryan, 22, and his co-accused Darragh Evans, 23, were arrested following paramilitary activity at the funeral of Alan Ryan in early September last year.

The two were also subsequently charged with firearms offensives as part of a garda investigation into the murder of 30-year-old Michael Kelly in Clongriffin on 15 September, 2011.

On 21 September last, the men were charged with possession of an AKM assault rifle and Webley-make revolver MkV1 at Clonshaugh Walk, Coolock, Dublin 17, on 15 September, 2011.

Counsel for the State, Tara Burns BL, this morning told the non-jury court that the accused men are due to stand trial on the firearms offences on 9 October, 2013.

She asked that the membership trial be slated to commence at the conclusion of the former.

Mr Justice Paul Butler said the court would fix 22 October, 2013 for a two-week trial on the membership charge.

He told the men that if they intended to rely on the defence of alibi they must notify the prosecution within 14 days and furnish the relevant names and addresses.

Mr Justice Butler said the men should not without leave of court call anybody to give evidence on their behalf unless 21 days before the day of the trial they give notice of their intention to do so.

The judge, sitting with Judge Margaret Heneghan and Judge Flannan Brennan, remanded the accused men in custody.