A Limerick woman gave a clenched fist salute and exclaimed “Mná na hÉireann, tiocfaidh ár lá” (“Women of Ireland, our day will come”) as she was led away having pleaded guilty to the murder of a father-of-two.

Members of the public in court reacted, saying, "You should be ashamed of yourself."

Rose Lynch (50) pleaded guilty on the day her trial was set to begin. She is charged with the murder of David Darcy (39).

The accused was charged with membership in the of the illegal organization, styled on the Irish Republican Army (IRA), known as Oglaigh na hEireann. She was also charged with the possession of a shotgun and revolver, possession of a Walther pistol and eight rounds of ammunition and possession of 25 rounds of 9mm ammunition.

Darcy was shot as he sat in his van in front of his family home on Cherry Orchard Avenue in Ballyfermot, Dublin, on November 28, 2011. He worked as a driver for the local butchers and was on his way to work when he was killed.

Paul Greene SC, for the State, told the Irish Times that sentencing would take place after procedural aspects that needed to be “ironed out” by both the prosecution and defence. He added that he had received a victim impact report from Darcy’s partner and he was due to receive another from the victim’s father.