Judge Undecided On IRA Sources Case

A Belfast judge has said he is "minded" to give police permission to legally induce a reporter to reveal her dissident republican sources.

However, Judge Tom Burgess insisted no decision will be made until both sides have stated their case.

Police have said they will use all legal means to force Irish journalist Suzanne Breen to hand over material relating to the Real IRA terrorist group.

Ms Breen, the Northern Editor of the Sunday Tribune newspaper, was originally given seven days by officers to disclose source material, including notes, computer discs and phones.

She has so far declined to pass on the information, claiming her life would be a risk if she complied.

The Real IRA claimed responsibility for the murders of two soldiers (pictured here) stationed at an Antrim barracks in March this year.

Ms Breen reported on the group's involvement in the killings, after being tipped off by senior dissident republican figures.

Today in court Ms Breen's legal team said any effort to legally enforce a disclosure would contravene the European Convention of Human Rights.

Lawyers said the action would breach Ms Breen's Right to Life.

Judge Burgess said he had a completely open mind as to how the case would conclude, despite saying that if he was to make a ruling solely on the evidence put before him today, he would be minded to support the police's position.

Ms Breen's legal representatives now have a week to compile their cases against the disclosure order application, which has effectively passed its first main hurdle.

Lawyers for the journalist argued that the police case against her had been heard in private making it difficult for the team to respond.

Once both sides have stated their case the judge said he would progress the application order to a full hearing, which will be heard in public, with the exception of police evidence.

The case will be heard on 29 May.

The journalist has received support from the National Union of Journalists, which claims the court action infringes on the freedom of the press, and the SDLP.

Ms Breen has continued to insist she is not a detective, and that it is not her jobs to collect criminal evidence.

Outside court she said: "I think it is quite disgraceful this is happening in Northern Ireland in 2009 when there is meant to be a new dispensation.

"This case potentially could close down journalism."

See: Police Seek Private High Court Challenge To Journalist

(PR/BMcC)