The matter of slow justice in terrorist trials should be addressed, as well as lenient prison sentences

A letter from Alex Swan:
By Alex Swan
Published 21st Dec 2020, 18:07 BST
Updated 22nd Dec 2020, 02:44 BST
The Continuity IRA terrorists were detected in 2014 but convicted only in 2020The Continuity IRA terrorists were detected in 2014 but convicted only in 2020
The Continuity IRA terrorists were detected in 2014 but convicted only in 2020

Doug Beattie MLA was correct to draw attention to the recent sentences handed down to members of the Continuity IRA (December 16).

(The report can be read here: ‘Extreme disappointment that DPP will not make appeal of unduly lenient sentences for seven Continuity IRA men’).

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

However it is also worth noting that these terrorists were detected following an MI5 bugging operation in 2014, yet the matter only came to trial in 2020.

Letter to the editorLetter to the editor
Letter to the editor

Compare this to the brutal murder of the Labour MP Jo Cox, Ms Cox lost her life on June 21 2016 with her killer tried and convicted the following November.

Now doubtless the case against the dissident terrorists was more complex, however two years after Salman Ramadan Abedi carried out the 2017 Manchester Arena bombing his brother stood trial for his part in the atrocity, despite having fled to Libya.

Surely the investigation into mass murder was complex and difficult, yet this trial took place two years after the event, a third of the time taken here.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

The matter of ‘slow justice’ must be addressed, victims and their families deserve better, deserve closure.

As for those accused, the courts decide between guilt and innocence, surely the accused are entitled to timely justice, so those found guilty can pay for their crimes, and those found innocent can resume their lives.

Alex Swan, Ulster Unionist councillor, Lisburn and Castlereagh

——— ———

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.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

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

Related topics:Jo CoxAlex SwanLabour