Real IRA charges dropped

Gareth O'Connor has been missing since last May

Charges of Real IRA membership against four men from Northern Ireland have been dropped at a court in Dublin.

One of the four, Gareth O'Connor, from Armagh city, has not been seen since 11 May last year.

The 24-year-old had failed to report to Dundalk police station in the Irish Republic as part of his bail conditions.

A murder investigation is under way.

The trial of the other three County Armagh men was called off last month after it emerged documents had been mislaid.

Cathal Loughran, 27, of Friary Road, Clady, Dominic Dynes, 32, of St Matthew's Estate, Keady, and Aidan Grew, 47, of Benburb Street, Blackwatertown had been remanded on bail.

They were told on Thursday at the Special Criminal Court that the trial would not continue.