Jail 'Cell-Wrecking' Trial Adjourned

The trial of 11 republicans accused of wrecking their Maghaberry prison cells has been adjourned, the Belfast Telegraph has reported.

Proceedings were halted at Belfast Crown Court because a witness was not available.

And defence lawyers protested that they had not been able to watch video footage taken inside the jail on the night of the alleged damages, in May last year.

Three of the accused, including prominent Lurgan man Colin Duffy, have been freed from jail in the past 15 months.

Prosecuting lawyer Michael Chambers said a prison officer who could prove there had been no damage to the cells before the incident would not be available until later in the week.

Among the accused are John Paul Wootton and Brendan McConville., who were both convicted earlier this year of murdering PSNI constable Stephen Carroll.

The other accused are Kevin Barry Nolan from Main Street, Blacklion; Gerard James McManus from Fernhill, Letterkenny; Damien Joseph McLaughlin from Lake View Cottages, Dungannon; Mark McGuigan Sperrin View Omagh; Sean McConville, Kilwilkie Road, Lurgan; Brendan Conway from Rosemount Gardens, Belfast; Joseph Patrick Barr, Bridge Street, Strabane; and Harry Fitzsimmons, whose address was given as HMP Maghaberry. Like Duffy, Conway and McLaughlin are no longer in prison.

(NE)