UFF godfather Johnny Adair launched a High Court action yesterday over a decision to keep him in prison over Christmas. Adair (38) claimed the Governor of Maghaberry Prison, near Lisburn, Co Antrim, was wrong to deny him parole.
He is due to be released next May but in papers lodged in court yesterday he said denial of parole meant he was unable to "prepare properly for my release to meet my family and to re-build my family relationships". The papers stated that Adair was refused parole following a risk assessment carried out by police which advised against him being released.
Adair was returned to prison in August, 2000, after ex-Secretary of State Mr Peter Mandelson decided he had breached the terms of his Belfast Agreement release while serving a 16-year sentence imposed in 1995 for directing terrorism.