Police accused of '˜intimidation' over journalists' arrests

Counsel for the company behind a documentary into the loyalist murders of six men in the 1994 Loughinisland massacre claimed police had abused their powers.

Two journalists involved in the film ‘No Stone Unturned’, Trevor Birney and Barry McCaffrey, were arrested, questioned and released last week.

Detectives also searched three properties in Belfast - two residential and the third a business premises.

Lawyers representing the documentary maker Fine Point Films went to court, and are now challenging the legality of the search warrant.

Police have given an undertaking not to examine any of the documents and computer equipment pending the outcome of the legal action.

Mr Birney, 51, and Mr McCaffrey, 48, were in court as their barrister contended a “vast quantity of journalistic material that has absolutely nothing to do with the investigation” was taken.

Barry Macdonald QC suggested an independent lawyer or a retired judge should be appointed to examine everything seized by police.

“We are conscious that this application gives rise to serious issues concerning freedom of the press and abuse of police powers which, in our submission, have been used to intimidate journalists and prohibit not only journalists but whistleblowers,” he said.

“There is extensive material that has been seized by police which shouldn’t have been seized by police and this company requires to have returned.”

Counsel for the police, Peter Coll QC, confirmed none of the documents or computer files have been accessed.

Proceedings were then adjourned to take further instructions on the proposal for an independent assessment of everything seized by police.