Old Bailey Bomber Back In Jail

The NI Secretary of State, Owen Paterson, has revoked the life licence of convicted IRA terrorist, Marian Price after she was charged with offences under the Terrorism Act 2000.

She is now back behind bars after the recommendation of the Parole Commissioners that the risk of serious harm posed by her had increased significantly and Mr Paterson used the powers conferred on him by Parliament in the Life Sentences (Northern Ireland) Order 2001.

This was after she was charged with encouraging support for an illegal organisation, following a dissident republican rally in Londonderry on Easter Sunday.

The defendant, whose married name was given in court on Monday (Marian McGlinchey), was accused of addressing a meeting encouraging support for a proscribed organisation, the IRA.

A police sergeant told the court that she had been at an Easter Commemoration in Derry's city cemetery, where she held a piece of paper for a masked man who read a speech from it.

Her lawyer said that she had been asked to hold it because it was a windy day and that she had no idea what the speech contained and the judge granted her bail on that charge.

However, she remains in custody after the Secretary of State decided to revoke her release licence on Sunday night.

In a statement Mr Paterson said: "My priority is the safety of the people of Northern Ireland.

"The Government will not hesitate to use all the powers at its disposal under the law to counter the residual terrorist threat."

Price was jailed for the IRA bombing of the Old Bailey in London in 1973 but was later freed on licence as part of the Good Friday Agreement.

She is due to reappear in court again by videolink from Maghaberry Prison on the 9 June and also has the right to make representations to the Parole Commissioners, which they will consider.

(BMcC/GK)