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30/04/2009
Murder Accused Wins Right To Challenge 'Surveillance'
A high-profile republican accused of murdering two soldiers has been granted permission by the High Court to challenge the prison service's silence about what he suspects is covert bugging while in custody.
Colin Duffy, 41, is seeking assurances that the authorities will not bug his legal consultations while in custody charged with the double killing of Sappers Mark Quinsey and Patrick Azimkar, (pictured here).
The soldiers were gunned down at the gates of Massereene Army base in Antrim on March 7 while they collected pizzas from delivery men.
His successful bid will now lead to the prison authorities being forced to answer his challenges over whether or not any surveillance is being undertaken.
Duffy, a former mainstream republican from Lurgan, Co Armagh, is also charged with five counts of attempted murder and possession of arms and ammunition in connection with the Real IRA shootings.
His lawyers applied for leave to seek a judicial review based on the uncertainty surrounding any conversations he has while being held.
Barry Macdonald QC told a two judge panel headed by Lord Chief Justice Sir Brian Kerr it would be completely unlawful for any monitoring to be carried out.
The court action follows a previous bugging incident, which led - in 2006 - to the PSNI Chief Constable Sir Hugh Orde being grilled by the Law Society of Northern Ireland.
That meeting was about allegations that a solicitor - who was later arrested on suspicion of terrorist offences - had been secretly bugged during confidential meetings with clients while in police custody.
See: Chief Constable to meet with Law Society over bugging claim
(BMcC/JM)
Colin Duffy, 41, is seeking assurances that the authorities will not bug his legal consultations while in custody charged with the double killing of Sappers Mark Quinsey and Patrick Azimkar, (pictured here).
The soldiers were gunned down at the gates of Massereene Army base in Antrim on March 7 while they collected pizzas from delivery men.
His successful bid will now lead to the prison authorities being forced to answer his challenges over whether or not any surveillance is being undertaken.
Duffy, a former mainstream republican from Lurgan, Co Armagh, is also charged with five counts of attempted murder and possession of arms and ammunition in connection with the Real IRA shootings.
His lawyers applied for leave to seek a judicial review based on the uncertainty surrounding any conversations he has while being held.
Barry Macdonald QC told a two judge panel headed by Lord Chief Justice Sir Brian Kerr it would be completely unlawful for any monitoring to be carried out.
The court action follows a previous bugging incident, which led - in 2006 - to the PSNI Chief Constable Sir Hugh Orde being grilled by the Law Society of Northern Ireland.
That meeting was about allegations that a solicitor - who was later arrested on suspicion of terrorist offences - had been secretly bugged during confidential meetings with clients while in police custody.
See: Chief Constable to meet with Law Society over bugging claim
(BMcC/JM)
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14 September 2004
Sinn Féin display second bugging device
Sinn Féin has put on display a second bugging device which it says was discovered at one of its offices in west Belfast.
Sinn Féin display second bugging device
Sinn Féin has put on display a second bugging device which it says was discovered at one of its offices in west Belfast.
07 September 2004
McGuinness accuses Murphy of sanctioning bugging equipment
Sinn Féin's Martin McGuinness has accused Secretary of State Paul Murphy of authorising the "bugging" of a party official in West Belfast which was uncovered on Monday.
McGuinness accuses Murphy of sanctioning bugging equipment
Sinn Féin's Martin McGuinness has accused Secretary of State Paul Murphy of authorising the "bugging" of a party official in West Belfast which was uncovered on Monday.
06 September 2004
'Bugging device' found at home of Sinn Féin worker
A "sophisticated bugging device" has been found at the home of a Sinn Féin worker in west Belfast, it has been claimed today. The device, which was found by workmen in the home of a woman who works at party president Gerry Adams' constituency office, allegedly contained of a number of battery packs, along with a microphone and transmitter.
'Bugging device' found at home of Sinn Féin worker
A "sophisticated bugging device" has been found at the home of a Sinn Féin worker in west Belfast, it has been claimed today. The device, which was found by workmen in the home of a woman who works at party president Gerry Adams' constituency office, allegedly contained of a number of battery packs, along with a microphone and transmitter.
01 May 2003
Two further arrests over 'bugging' claims
The co-authors of the book at the centre of the current Martin McGuinness bugging scandal have been arrested. Liam Clarke, the Northern Ireland editor of the Sunday Times, and his wife Kathryn Johnston were today arrested in connection with alleged transcripts of telephone calls made by Mr McGuinness to senior Government ministers.
Two further arrests over 'bugging' claims
The co-authors of the book at the centre of the current Martin McGuinness bugging scandal have been arrested. Liam Clarke, the Northern Ireland editor of the Sunday Times, and his wife Kathryn Johnston were today arrested in connection with alleged transcripts of telephone calls made by Mr McGuinness to senior Government ministers.
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