The Real IRA in Portugal

'Gun plot pair' get a holiday

0 comments 8/14/2007 Posted by Winnower

14 August 2007
Mirror

A couple accused of a gun smuggling plot have had their bail conditions relaxed to take their two children on holiday. Desmond and Alison Kearns are facing terror charges after alleged conversations between them and security agents posing as arms dealers. The recordings allegedly concern the purchase of weapons and explosives for the Real IRA. Mr Kearns, 42, is charged with conspiracy to possess weapons and explosives. His 38-year-old wife is charged with inviting an unnamed person to provide terrorism weapons. The PSNI objected to the family, from Lurgan, going to Donegal as they "would have no control over monitoring their movements". But Mr Justice Gillen said the PSNI and Garda could co-operate on the matter.

Labels: Alison Kearns, Alvor, Desmond Kearns, Desmond Paul Kearns, Donegal, MI5, Portugal, Real IRA

RIRA accused have bail relaxed for family holiday

0 comments 8/14/2007 Posted by Winnower

14 August 2007
The Irish News

A Co Armagh couple accused of involvement in a Real IRA gun smuggling plot have had their bail conditions temporarily relaxed so they can take their two children on a family holiday to Donegal.

An application to relax the conditions during a week-long holiday to be taken later this month was made in Belfast's High Court yesterday on behalf of Desmond and Alison Kearns.

The couple, from Tannaghmore Green in Lurgan, are facing terrorism charges after alleged conversations between them and members of the British security forces posing as cigarette and arms dealers were recorded.

Labels: Alison Kearns, Alvor, Desmond Kearns, Desmond Paul Kearns, Donegal, MI5, Portugal, Real IRA

Holiday bail relax decision is slammed

0 comments 8/14/2007 Posted by Winnower

14 August 2007
Belfast Telegraph
Ashleigh Wallace and Claire Regan

Upper Bann MP David Simpson said he was concerned to hear that a Belfast judge had agreed to temporarily relax the couple's bail conditions so they can take their two children on the family holiday to the Republic. An application to relax the conditions during a week-long holiday to be taken later this month was made in Belfast's High Court yesterday on behalf of Desmond and Alison Kearns.

The couple, from Tannaghmore Green in Lurgan, are currently facing terrorism charges after alleged conversations between them and members of the British security forces posing as cigarette and arms dealers were recorded.

Labels: Alison Kearns, Alvor, Desmond Kearns, Desmond Paul Kearns, Donegal, MI5, Portugal, Real IRA

Fury after judge lets gun-running accused go on a Donegal holiday

0 comments 8/14/2007 Posted by Winnower

Labels: Alison Kearns, Alvor, Desmond Kearns, Desmond Paul Kearns, Donegal, MI5, Portugal, Real IRA

Gun deal accused bailed

0 comments 7/28/2007 Posted by Winnower

28 July 2007
Mirror
Ivan McMichael

A man allegedly involved in gun-running for dissident republicans was released on bail yesterday after spending a year in custody. It was the seventh time the case of Desmond Kearns, 42, had come before the High Court in Belfast.

Labels: Alison Kearns, Alvor, Dermot Declan Gregory, Dermot Gregory, Desmond Kearns, Desmond Paul Kearns, Donegal, MI5, Michael Dermot, Paul Anthony John McCaugherty, Paul McCaugherty, Portugal, Real IRA

Accused gets bail in Real IRA arms case

0 comments 7/28/2007 Posted by Winnower

28 July 2007
The Irish News
Allison Morris

A man from Co Armagh charged with trying to procure weapons for the Real IRA was granted bail yesterday after police were forced to admit that recorded evidence central to the case had been rendered useless.

Desmond Kearns of Tannaghmore Green in Lurgan has been on remand in Maghaberry prison since June last year facing charges of conspiring to possess weapons for the republican group.

Police strongly opposed bail in the past. However, the prosecution told a court yesterday the police now had no issue with the 42-year-old being released pending trial following a "change of circumstances".

Labels: Alison Kearns, Alvor, Daniel Victor Polin, Dermot Declan Gregory, Dermot Gregory, Desmond Kearns, Desmond Paul Kearns, Donegal, MI5, Michael Dermot, Paul Anthony John McCaugherty, Paul McCaugherty, Portugal, Real IRA

Prisoner on arms charges denied bail

0 comments 6/16/2007 Posted by Winnower

16 June 2007
The Irish News
Allison Morris

A Co Armagh man accused of trying to procure an arsenal of weapons for the Real IRA was refused bail yesterday, despite police admitting that a secret recording at the centre of the case is inaudible.

Desmond Kearns (42), from Tannaghmore Green in Lurgan, has been on remand in Maghaberry prison for almost a year facing charges of conspiring to possess weapons.

His wife Alison Kearns (38) is currently on bail after being charged with inviting another person to provide weapons.