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Anti-War Trial Prolonged Further

29/06/07

The case of the three éirígí activists who were arrested for participating in a recent anti-war demonstration was again adjourned at Belfast’s Laganside Court today (Friday).

Cormac Ryan, Dominic McGlinchey and Scott Masterson are facing a string of charges related to the visit of British war-criminal Tony Blair to Belfast on May 8 this year.

The three vigorously deny the accusations, which include assault and riotous behaviour, and are hopeful of a legal victory based in no small part upon photographic and video evidence from the day, which confirms their innocence.

As both Cormac and Scott are based in Dublin, the travel necessary to appear at court dates and to sign bail in the occupied area each week has resulted in severe inconvenience to them and their families.

Speaking from outside the court, Cormac Ryan said that it was becomingly increasingly obvious that there was real lack of evidence to support the charges made by the RUC-PSNI.

“From day one of this sorry mess we have proclaimed our innocence and provided evidence to that effect. However, the agencies of the state on the other hand have so far produced no evidence to support their argument and we will be waiting a very long time before they do.

“We and our legal team believe that all the charges should be dropped immediately by the RUC-PSNI due to lack of evidence, but even if this does occur it will not address the substantive issues relating to policing in the six counties. The RUC-PSNI is by its very nature an inherently political paramilitary force which our case has served to highlight once again.”

The next stage of the trial is to be heard on July 25.