Tight security at Cavan court for alleged IRA member

A tight security cordon of army and armed garda personnel surrounded Cavan Courthouse last Thursday for the appearance of an alleged member of the IRA when he appeared on a number of charges. David Jordan, 51 Castlecaulfield Road, Donaghmore, Tyrone, who is currently on remand from the Special Criminal Court charged with membership of the IRA and the unlawful possession of a semi-automatic pistol plus eight rounds of 9mm ammunition at St. Martin's Row, Belturbet, on January 8, was brought under armed security from Portlaoise Prison. At Cavan District Court, Jordan was sentenced to four months for giving a false name and address to Sergeant Gabriel Bell at Corracrin, Emyvale, Monaghan, on June 14, 2009. He was given a concurrent four-month term and disqualified from driving for two years for having no insurance on his vehicle on the same occasion. The defendant was given a further four-month concurrent term for failing to appear on bail at Monaghan District Court on July 20, 2009. Sgt. Bell told the court that while on duty, when he stopped the defendant who was driving a blue car. Jordan gave a false name and address on three occasions but later admitted his name at Monaghan Garda Station. He was granted bail to appear at Monaghan Court on July 20 but failed to do so. Solicitor Larry Burke sought bail or recognisances to be fixed in the case. Mr. Jordan did not want to go into evidence. He was a 39-year-old, unemployed and separated man. The car belonged to his brother. The defendant had no previous convictions in this jurisdiction. When Judge Sean MacBride asked the defendant to stand up, he refused to do so. Refusing bail and recognisances, the judge said he was doing so because the defendant had no permanent address within the state and, as such, was a fight risk.