With Cork-based money lender Ted Cunningham, and son, convicted and sentenced for laundering cash from the December 2004 Northern Bank robbery, it’s reported that there have been two new arrests in Operation Phoenix. From the RTÉ report.
Last night, detectives involved in Operation Phoenix arrested two men in Cork. Both are prominent republicans and one in particular is said to have been active at a senior level in Sinn Féin in Munster.
Iol report names the two men as former Sinn Féin councillor, Tom Hanlon (aged 42), and George Hegarty (aged 62). Adds According to the BBC report, both men are members of Sinn Féin. And Both men are released on bail – iol report.
Tom Hanlon (aged 42), of Pembroke Row, Passage West, Co Cork and George Hegarty (aged 62), of Donnybrook Cottages, Douglas, Cork were each charged with membership of an unlawful organisation styling itself the Irish Republican Army, otherwise Óglaigh na hÉireann, otherwise the IRA on February 16 , 2005.
Detective Garda Emmet Daly gave evidence of arresting Hanlon at 5.35 pm yesterday. He said that Hanlon made no reply when cautioned.
The detective garda agreed with defence counsel Mr Michael Vallely BL that Hanlon, a father of four, is well known in Passage West and had served as a Sinn Féin councillor for the area for four years until 2004.
Detective Garda Martin Mc Sweeney gave evidence of arresting Hegarty at 5.40 pm and he said that Hegarty made no reply when cautioned.
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