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IRELAND MAKES a rare appearance before the Grand Chamber of the European Court of Human Rights in Strasbourg today to face allegations of violating the rights of Maze escapee Brendan McFarlane. The complaint relates to his allegations of delay in bringing a prosecution against him in relation to the Don Tidey kidnapping in 1983. His trial on these charges eventually did take place in June 2008, when he was acquitted.

Most cases in the court take place before a chamber of seven judges. However, where a case raises a serious question of interpretation of the European Convention on Human Rights, or where there is a risk of departing from existing case law, a chamber may relinquish jurisdiction to the Grand Chamber.