Sean Hughes (Irish republican)

Sean Gerard Hughes (Irish: Seán Gerard Ó hAodha) is a farmer from Drumintee, County Armagh, Northern Ireland, who has been named as a former member of the Irish Republican Army (IRA) Army Council.Clarke, Liam. [http://women.timesonline.co.uk/article/0,,2091-1592812,00.html Hardliners go in big IRA shuffle] , "The Sunday Times", 1 May, 2005]

Describing him as a "hardliner" in the Republican movement,Clarke, Liam. [http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/newspapers/sunday_times/ireland/article547523.ece De Chastelain extends stay to await IRA move] , "The Sunday Times", 24 July, 2005] "The Sunday Times" reported that Hughes had served on the IRA's general headquarters staff (GHQ) as operations officer, but left in 2002 when appointed to the council. Speaking under Parliamentary privilege, Member of Parliament for Belfast East, Peter Robinson, told the British House of Commons about Hughes' appointment. [http://www.publications.parliament.uk/pa/cm200203/cmhansrd/vo021202/debtext/21202-20.htm Members in the Commons] Hansard Debates for Monday 2 December, 2002, Volume No. 395, Part No. 312, Column 664] In 2005 "The Sunday Times" reported Hughes had resigned his position, "after losing interest in the peacetime IRA."

In 2001 Hughes was charged on counts of false accounting and obtaining by deception.Judge Phillpot, QC. Sean Gerald Hughes Ruling - abuse of process and art, Northern Ireland Court Service Neutral Citation No. [2001] NICC 10, 14 February 2001] He launched an application under human rights legislation, claiming he could not receive a fair trial in Northern Ireland after his picture was as identification of an IRA member in a book by Toby Harnden. The application was rejected, but the case was moved to Belfast Crown Court where Hughes was convicted of benefit fraud. Cassidy, John. [http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_qn4161/is_20010722/ai_n14535178 Border 'Surgeon' faces probe into sheep fraud] , Sunday Mirror, 22 July, 2001]

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