Dáil Éireann debate -
Thursday, 31 Oct 1991

Vol. 411 No. 8

Written Answers. - Official IRA Membership.

Enda Kenny

Question:

89 Mr. Kenny asked the Minister for Justice if, arising from his reply to Parliamentary Questions Nos. 162 and 163 of 22 October 1991 which confirmed the existence of the Official IRA, he will outline the circumstances of the last occasion when a conviction was brought and upheld involving such membership; and if he will make a statement on the matter.

Minister for Justice (Mr. Burke)

What I confirmed in replying to the parliamentary questions referred to by the Deputy was that I had been informed by the Garda authorities that they are satisfied that the Official IRA still exist.

What is prohibited by the Offences Against the State Act is membership of an unlawful organisation and any organisation — such as the Official IRA — styling itself the Irish Republican Army — also the IRA and Óglaigh na hÉireann — is declared by order under the Act to be an unlawful organisation. Charges and convictions of membership of such an organisation are not specific as to the particular organisation so styling itself.