Solicitor ‘alarmed’ over attack on judge
THE solicitor who represented Bertha McDougall in the case that led to Peter Hain’s comments on Mr Justice Girvan has said that he is alarmed by Mr Hain’s attack.
John McBurney, who over three decades has represented senior unionist figures including Ian Paisley and Peter Robinson, expressed “dismay and alarm” at Mr Hain’s remarks.
Mr McBurney, who is currently representing the family of Harry Breen at the Smithwick tribunal, told the News Letter he believed Mr Hain’s comments were a “wholly unwarranted and outrageous attack on a highly respected and eminent judge of the court of appeal”.
“There seems to have been no thought given by Mr Hain to the extremely damaging effect of his commentary and opinions on the administration of justice in NI and indeed throughout the UK, particularly where the sensitive and complex area of judicial review of executive decisions is involved,” he said. There was no suggestion of misconduct by Mrs McDougall but she was allowed to have legal representation as a ‘notice party’ at the hearings.
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Weather for Belfast
Tuesday 29 May 2012
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