'WHACKER' DUFFY GETS FOUR YEARS.

Byline: DANIEL HICKEY

DECLAN "Whacker" Duffy, the former leader of the INLA in Dublin, was caged for four years yesterday for membership of the organisation.

At the Special Criminal Court earlier this month, Duffy publicly turned his back on the terrorist group and pleaded guilty to the INLA membership charge.

Det Supt Diarmaid O'Sullivan told the court gardai came into possession of confidential information in August 2007 that a businessman in Cork, Denis Maguire, had been made the potential target of a subversive organisation.

He was to be kidnapped and money extorted from him.

The court heard Duffy was observed on October 18, 2007, in the company of another man. They drove to Cork and booked in at the Silver Springs Hotel under false names and addresses.

The following morning, Duffy and the other man were observed by gardai driving to the home of the intended extortion target, a premises at Lover's Walk, Montenotte.

Det Supt O'Sullivan said a "circuitous route" was taken as "an anti-surveillance tactic".

Duffy left the car and entered the premises. Gardai lost sight of him for five minutes before he left the property and returned with the other man to the Silver Springs.

The court was given an outline of Duffy's further movements from November 6 until the intended target, Mr Maguire, made an unexpected trip to Spain.

The court was told Duffy was observed at a meeting at the Mercantile pub on Dame St in Dublin on February 11 last year.

Over a week later, five men were arrested in Cork in relation to the proposed extortion and were subsequently charged with INLA membership.

Two have pleaded guilty while the other three are currently on trial.

Duffy was arrested on June 22 last year. His house was searched and books of evidence relating to three men charged with offences before the Special Criminal Court were found.

Paul Hogan, school principal and member of the Castlerea Prison Visiting Committee, told the court that he had a "degree of contact" with Duffy.

He said he believed the "penny has finally dropped" for Duffy.

Mr Hogan added: "He has kids - eight and 10 years old - who are at a critical point.

"They need a dad. His partner told me she put it to him if he doesn't disassociate with all forms of subversive activity, she'll part ways with him."

CAPTION(S):

CAGED Declan Duffy