Westminster MPs: Stormont should overhaul justice system to combat terror

The Intelligence and Security Committee made the call in a report into Northern Ireland-related terrorism.

The report found that dissident republican groups “retain both the intent and capability to cause serious damage”, and emphasised the importance of taking experienced terrorists off the streets.

The report refers to “systemic delays” in the Northern Irish judicial process which “appear to be resulting in cases taking months, or even years, to come to trial”.

It highlights the use of oral committal hearings, where cases are heard before magistrates’ courts before being sent to a higher court, as a “contributory factor”.

The report also notes that when cases result in a conviction, “sentences handed down tend to be shorter than in the rest of the UK”.

It contends Northern Ireland’s criminal justice system is in “urgent need of an overhaul”.

Two MPs who served on the previous committee emphasised that taking experienced terrorists off the streets is “critical” to reducing the capabilities of the groups.

Kevan Jones and Stewart Hosie urged the Executive and Assembly to “consider urgently” how criminal justice outcomes can be improved.

The report noted dissident activity in 2019, including the murder of journalist Lyra McKee as she observed a riot in Londonderry, as well as the bombing of the city’s court house, a bomb sent by post to Heathrow Airport and a hoax device designed to lure and kill police in Wattlebridge, Co Fermanagh, for a secondary device.

It also noted failed attack efforts, including bombs sent by post to addresses in Great Britain and a bomb found under the car of an off-duty police officer at Shandon Park Golf Club.

The MPs said that while the New IRA remains the most widespread of the dissident groups, there appears to be evidence of co-operation between different groups.

They also expressed concern over dissident groups recruiting “significant numbers” of young people.

Turning to Brexit, the report finds that infrastructure on the Irish border for customs checks would be targeted for attack by dissident republicans as well as utilised as a “recruiting tool”.

In terms of loyalist terrorist groups, the report notes that ceasefires have held but that Brexit could “reignite” this threat.

DUP MP Gavin Robinson described the report as a “sobering assessment” of the continuing threat of terrorism in Northern Ireland.

Stormont Justice Minister Naomi Long said she wants to take time to reflect on the contents of the report before making a response.

However, she said: “I note that the committee only consulted with UK Security Services and did not take evidence from any Executive departments. Neither the Department of Justice nor indeed other NI justice delivery partners were afforded the opportunity to provide any input or evidence.”

READ MORE OF THE NEWS LETTER’S RECENT COVERAGE:

CLICK HERE: Exclusive: Republican die-hard’s courtroom tactics have cost taxpayers tens of thousands of pounds

CLICK HERE: Brooke Reid funeral: Family of fire death girl ‘overwhelmed with love’

CLICK HERE: NI man, 33, who died in Turkey incident named as Richard Molloy

——— ———

A message from the Editor:

Thank you for reading this story on our website. While I have your attention, I also have an important request to make of you.

With the coronavirus lockdown having a major impact on many of our advertisers — and consequently the revenue we receive — we are more reliant than ever on you taking out a digital subscription.

Subscribe to newsletter.co.uk and enjoy unlimited access to the best Northern Ireland and UK news and information online and on our app. With a digital subscription, you can read more than 5 articles, see fewer ads, enjoy faster load times, and get access to exclusive newsletters and content. Visit https://www.newsletter.co.uk/subscriptions now to sign up.

Our journalism costs money and we rely on advertising, print and digital revenues to help to support them. By supporting us, we are able to support you in providing trusted, fact-checked content for this website.

Alistair Bushe

Editor