Pastor convicted of breaching abortion protest buffer zone in Coleraine says it is 'a dark day for Christian freedom'

Retired Strabane Pastor Clive Johnston, 77, was convicted at Coleraine Magistrates Court today of breaching protest buffer zone legislation at the Causeway Hospital in Coleraine Hospital on July 7 2024.

District Judge Peter King convicted the former President of the Irish Association of Baptist churches, fining him £450.

Pastor Johnston, who told the court he wished to test the buffer zone legislation, was preaching from well known Bible verse, John 3:16 in the Safe Access Zone outside the hospital.

The court accepted that he had no banners or placards, and made no mention of abortion during his sermon.

However judge Peter King concluded that he intended that anyone hearing his message "would be influenced whether directly or indirectly" and that he had therefore "tested the law, to the point where he broke the law".

He was also convicted of refusing to leave the zone when asked by police.

After hearing the verdict, Pastor Clive Johnston said: “This is a dark day for Christian freedom.

“We held a small, open air Sunday service near a hospital. We made no reference whatsoever to the issue of abortion.

“And yet the buffer zones law is so broad that holding a Sunday service has been found to be a criminal offence. And at 78 years of age I find myself, for the first time, convicted of a crime.

“I know it was an unusual place to hold an open-air service but that was the point: There shouldn’t be any public spaces in Northern Ireland where you can be prosecuted and convicted simply for preaching the gospel.

“If someone is out there causing trouble, stirring up violence, harassing or verbally attacking people, then, absolutely, go ahead and prosecute them. But I wasn’t doing any of those things as the police video shows and as everyone involved in this case accepts.

“So we are going to go away now and discuss what to do next with our legal team. I am obviously keen to find out what options there might be for me to appeal.

“My wife Sheila and I want to take this opportunity to thank the many people who have supported us, especially my legal team, and also our brothers and sisters at The Christian Institute whose personal support has been invaluable.”

Pastor Johnston has been supported by The Christian Institute in the legal action.

Its Director, Ciarán Kelly, added: “Despite assurances to the contrary when this legislation was being considered, we now see that an already controversial and deeply unjust law has now been selectively applied to criminalise gospel preaching. This is creeping censorship. If the ruling stands it will represent a shocking new restriction on freedom of religion and freedom of speech so we will be helping Clive to consider the options for appeal."

But Belfast City Council Green Party Councillor Áine Groogan said she was pleased that the law is now being enforced.

It was introduced to NI by Green Party MLA Claire Bailey and passed by the Assembly in 2022.

“Buffer zones were introduced to protect women and pregnant people from harassment and intimidation while accessing healthcare,” Ms Groogan said.

“Everyone has a right to access healthcare and the Supreme Court has clearly said this law strikes the right balance by protecting that right without compromising any other rights. We are pleased that the law ensuring people can access healthcare safely and free from targeted interference is being enforced.

“The law is working as intended and the courts have upheld that position.”