8 men accused of membership of the IRA have been granted legal aid at the Special Criminal Court. The group was arrested on Good Friday after a search of a commercial premises in Dublin.

The men arrived at courts in a fleet of Garda vans from Portlaoise Prison. They were arrested over Easter following a raid in Clondalkin.

There was standing room only as a large group of supporters packed the courtroom. Gardai told the 3 Judges that the case against the men is 'extensive' and officers are still assembling the evidence.

5 of the 8 were remanded in custody with consent to bail on condition they surrender their passports and not travel to Northern Ireland.

There was laughter in Court as two suspects were instructed not to associate or 'play golf' together. "We play Darts," one quipped.

The case is listed again in Court later this month.