THE appearance of a leading republican at an IRA commemoration within hours of being granted court bail has been labelled a “disgrace” by Ulster Unionist Danny Kennedy.
Sean Hughes (pictured) appeared in court in Belfast last Friday facing charges of IRA membership in relation to the murder of Raymond McCartney in Belfast in 2005.
Sinn Fein MP Conor Murphy was in court to support the south Armagh man he has previously described as “a good friend”.
Mr Kennedy said: “Mr Hughes’ attendance at an event glorifying terrorism only hours after being released by a court in Belfast was an absolute disgrace” – adding that “it severely undermines confidence in the judicial process”.
The Newry and Armagh UUP MLA called for a full investigation into what information – in relation to the IRA event in Mullaghbawn – was placed before the court, and added: “What are the public to make of a man investigated in relation to an IRA murder cover-up being bailed to attend an event to commemorate two IRA men who blew themselves up with their own bomb?
“Why has he not been at the very least prohibited from attending IRA-related events?”
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