Menu
26/06/2008
Ex-IRA Chief's Trial Collapses After Ruling
The trial of a former IRA chief, Brendan 'Bic' McFarlane, on kidnap charges has collapsed since the Special Criminal Court ruled incriminating statements he allegedly made cannot be used in evidence.
McFarlane was accused of involvement in the violent abduction of supermarket boss Don Tidey in 1983, who was kidnapped outside his home in Dublin and then held captive for over three weeks in a wooded hideaway.
McFarlane, 56, from west Belfast, who led the mass escape from the Maze Prison weeks before the kidnap - and was known as 'Bic' in prison on account of his copious note-taking (using a Bic ballpoint pen) - walked free from Dublin's Special Criminal Court after the prosecution was forced to drop the case.
Counsel for the Director of Public Prosecutions told the court the state was not entering any further evidence.
McFarlane had a previous trial in 1998 dropped due to the loss of a number of exhibits containing fingerprints by garda, which were central to the case, but the Irish Supreme Court ruled in March 2006 that the trial could proceed.
Another attempt to overturn the ruling was made on the grounds that McFarlane could not get a fair trial due to "systematic delays in bringing the prosecution", however, the trail finally got underway despite further delays on June 11 of this year and has now officially collapsed.
(DW)
McFarlane was accused of involvement in the violent abduction of supermarket boss Don Tidey in 1983, who was kidnapped outside his home in Dublin and then held captive for over three weeks in a wooded hideaway.
McFarlane, 56, from west Belfast, who led the mass escape from the Maze Prison weeks before the kidnap - and was known as 'Bic' in prison on account of his copious note-taking (using a Bic ballpoint pen) - walked free from Dublin's Special Criminal Court after the prosecution was forced to drop the case.
Counsel for the Director of Public Prosecutions told the court the state was not entering any further evidence.
McFarlane had a previous trial in 1998 dropped due to the loss of a number of exhibits containing fingerprints by garda, which were central to the case, but the Irish Supreme Court ruled in March 2006 that the trial could proceed.
Another attempt to overturn the ruling was made on the grounds that McFarlane could not get a fair trial due to "systematic delays in bringing the prosecution", however, the trail finally got underway despite further delays on June 11 of this year and has now officially collapsed.
(DW)
Related Northern Ireland News Stories
Click here for the latest headlines.
10 April 2024
Man And Woman Jailed For 'Brutal And Senseless Attack'
The PSNI have welcomed the sentencing of two people at Laganside Crown Court for a range of offences including grievous bodily harm with intent, threats to kill, common assault and possession of an offensive weapon. 26-year-old Dylan Black, from the Lisburn area, was sentenced to seven years in prison. He will serve three years on license.
Man And Woman Jailed For 'Brutal And Senseless Attack'
The PSNI have welcomed the sentencing of two people at Laganside Crown Court for a range of offences including grievous bodily harm with intent, threats to kill, common assault and possession of an offensive weapon. 26-year-old Dylan Black, from the Lisburn area, was sentenced to seven years in prison. He will serve three years on license.
26 February 2024
Ministers Call For NI To Be Included In Reversal Of PO Convictions
The Executive Office and Justice Minister have written a joint letter to Minister for Enterprise, Markets and Small Business, Kevin Hollinrake, calling for legislation to reverse the convictions of sub-postmasters to also apply in Northern Ireland.
Ministers Call For NI To Be Included In Reversal Of PO Convictions
The Executive Office and Justice Minister have written a joint letter to Minister for Enterprise, Markets and Small Business, Kevin Hollinrake, calling for legislation to reverse the convictions of sub-postmasters to also apply in Northern Ireland.
19 February 2024
Fourteen Sentenced In East Belfast UVF Investigation
The PSNI have welcomed the sentencing of thirteen men and one woman in connection with an investigation into suspected criminality linked to the East Belfast UVF by the Paramilitary Crime Task Force. The defendants were sentenced over the five-week period, from 11 January to 16 February, at Belfast Crown Court.
Fourteen Sentenced In East Belfast UVF Investigation
The PSNI have welcomed the sentencing of thirteen men and one woman in connection with an investigation into suspected criminality linked to the East Belfast UVF by the Paramilitary Crime Task Force. The defendants were sentenced over the five-week period, from 11 January to 16 February, at Belfast Crown Court.
12 February 2024
New Pilot Scheme Announced To Test Filming NI Appeal Court Judgements
A new pilot scheme to film the deliver of judgments in the Court of Appeal in Northern Ireland, has been announced by the Lady Chief Justice, Dame Siobhan Keegan. It is understood that during the pilot scheme, none of the judgements will be broadcast, but the filming used to test the process and inform future decisions.
New Pilot Scheme Announced To Test Filming NI Appeal Court Judgements
A new pilot scheme to film the deliver of judgments in the Court of Appeal in Northern Ireland, has been announced by the Lady Chief Justice, Dame Siobhan Keegan. It is understood that during the pilot scheme, none of the judgements will be broadcast, but the filming used to test the process and inform future decisions.
12 February 2024
22-Year-Old Man Jailed For Rape At Laganside Crown Court
A 22-year-old man has been sentenced to six years for rape at Laganside Crown Court. Ahmad Alsbaihi was sentenced to six years. He will serve three years in custody and three years on licence. He will be placed on the Sex Offenders Register and will be subject to a Sexual Offences Prevention Order (SOPO) for 10 years.
22-Year-Old Man Jailed For Rape At Laganside Crown Court
A 22-year-old man has been sentenced to six years for rape at Laganside Crown Court. Ahmad Alsbaihi was sentenced to six years. He will serve three years in custody and three years on licence. He will be placed on the Sex Offenders Register and will be subject to a Sexual Offences Prevention Order (SOPO) for 10 years.
-
Northern Ireland WeatherThis Evening and Tonight:A dry evening with late sunny spells and some long clear spells overnight. Becoming cloudier across the north towards dawn with a few showers possible. Touch of frost in south. Minimum temperature 0 °C.
