The trial of four men accused of having equipment to print counterfeit currency in Co Laois has collapsed.
In the Special Criminal Court, prosecution counsel Garnet Orange BL entered a nolle prosequi, which was accepted by the judge, Mr Justice Paul Butler.
Yesterday, Mr Orange applied to have the trial stopped and the non-jury court discharged from the case, after it emerged last week that a deliberate decision was taken not to disclose information regarding a fifth suspect in the case to the defence.
Kevin Flanagan, 43, of Borris-in-Ossory, Co Laois; Liam Delaney, 42, with addresses at Mountrath and Borris-in-Ossory; Anthony Sloan, 57, a native of Belfast with an address at Ard na Mara, Dundalk, Co Louth; and Andrew Poole, 43, of Portlaoise, had pleaded not guilty to possession of equipment, including printers and cutting machines, to manufacture counterfeit currency at Ballybrophy, Borris-in-Ossory, on 31 May 2010.
A charge of membership of an illegal organisation against Anthony Sloan was also dismissed.
The Special Criminal Court refused the application to discharge itself from the trial.
Defence counsel John Peart SC, for Mr Delaney, had asked for a complete dismissal, but Mr Justice Butler said the court was satisfied the prosecution could enter a nolle prosequi at any stage.
