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07/03/2006
McFarlane to face trial over 1983 kidnapping
A Belfast man charged with the kidnapping of businessman Don Tidy in 1983 is to face trial following an appeal ruling made today by Ireland's Supreme Court.
Brendan McFarlane from Jamaica Street in north Belfast was among 38 prisoners who escaped from the Maze Prison in September 1983.
McFarlane was later arrested in Amsterdam and extradited to Northern Ireland.
Released on parole in 1997, Gardai re-arrested him in 1998. He was charged with false imprisonment and firearms offences in connection with an incident in November 1983.
During a shoot out at Derrada Wood in Ballinamore, Co. Leitrim, a Garda and an member of the Irish defence force were shot dead.
However, in an application to the High Court in Dublin, McFarlane successfully prevented a trial. It was argued that essential exhibits were missing and were therefore not available for inspection by McFarlane or his legal team. The Court of Appeal in Dublin upheld this ruling.
However, the appeal by Irish prosecutors brought before the Supreme Court was successful and McFarlane will, despite the mislaid evidence, face trial as the photographic results from the forensic fingerprint examination of the missing items is available.
(SP/GB)
Brendan McFarlane from Jamaica Street in north Belfast was among 38 prisoners who escaped from the Maze Prison in September 1983.
McFarlane was later arrested in Amsterdam and extradited to Northern Ireland.
Released on parole in 1997, Gardai re-arrested him in 1998. He was charged with false imprisonment and firearms offences in connection with an incident in November 1983.
During a shoot out at Derrada Wood in Ballinamore, Co. Leitrim, a Garda and an member of the Irish defence force were shot dead.
However, in an application to the High Court in Dublin, McFarlane successfully prevented a trial. It was argued that essential exhibits were missing and were therefore not available for inspection by McFarlane or his legal team. The Court of Appeal in Dublin upheld this ruling.
However, the appeal by Irish prosecutors brought before the Supreme Court was successful and McFarlane will, despite the mislaid evidence, face trial as the photographic results from the forensic fingerprint examination of the missing items is available.
(SP/GB)
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