Still fighting extradition proceedings on charges of glorifying terrorism in Spain, lawyers for convicted ETA killer José Ignacio (Iñaki) de Juana Chaos have been back in court in Belfast. This time they were losing a legal battle for a licence for de Juana Chaos to work as a taxi driver for the West Belfast Taxi Association. From the BBC report
His barrister told the court Mr de Juana Chaos, 54, should be treated as an exception to the rule where ex-prisoners can only apply for taxi licences three years after completing their sentence. “The offending behaviour purely related to the political theatre,” he said. “The people subjected to the violence were members of the police force in Spain.” Mr de Juana Chaos was released from prison in August 2008.
His lawyer said he has now removed himself from the political conflict and wants to drive specified routes for the West Belfast Taxi Association, where his wife works. “The reason why my client came here… having committed very serious offences, is to benefit, even if only indirectly, from the way in which this society is prepared to give people who have committed awful offences a chance and a new start,” the lawyer said. He added that 15 ex-prisoners with convictions for “politically inspired violence” already work for the association.
Discover more from Slugger O'Toole
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.
