Sinn Féin’s Raymond McCartney, deputy chair of the Assembly’s Justice Committee [and noted plagiarist! – Ed], may have welcomed today’s Belfast court ruling that the Parole Commissioners had breached former Provisional IRA member Martin Corey’s human rights in refusing to release him, and ordering his release on unconditional bail. But the Guardian reports that Northern Ireland Secretary of State, Owen Paterson has intervened.
Corey had been released on licence in 1992 after serving 19 years for the murder of two policemen. Former NI Secretary of State Shaun Woodward revoked his licence in 2010 on the basis of “closed material”. In December last year Corey was granted leave “to seek a judicial review of the decision to revoke his licence over unspecified allegations that he was involved with dissident republicans”.
The BBC reports on today’s ruling
On Monday, Mr Justice Treacy held there had been a breach of the European Convention on Human Rights which states that anyone deprived of their liberty can have the lawfulness of detention decided speedily by a court.
The judge found that the open evidence did not advance the Northern Ireland Secretary’s case against Corey, meaning that the decision was solely based on closed material.
Mr Justice Treacy also ruled that the Parole Commissioners misdirected themselves in law and failed to provide a sufficient safeguard against the lack of full disclosure.
He stated: “I’m going to remit the matter to the commissioners to reconsider the matter in light of the judgment of the court.”
Corey was also awarded legal costs in bringing the challenge.
As the Guardian report adds
While Corey waited in Maghaberry jail to be freed the secretary of state moved to block the release and at around 5.30pm the veteran republican was re-arrested and remains in the prison.
Republican Sinn Féin said the British state was “determined to keep Martin interned at all costs.”
[That’ll be the Dark Side, again… – Ed] Indeed.
Discover more from Slugger O'Toole
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.
