A JOURNALIST fighting legal attempts to force the surrender of information about the Real IRA has criticised the police for taking her to court.
Sunday Tribune northern editor Suzanne Breen yesterday claimed that the PSNI action could make it impossible for reporters to do their jobs.
Her warning came as a judge revealed he was minded to make an order being sought as part of the investigation into the murders of two soldiers in Antrim.
But Belfast Recorder Tom Burgess stressed any decision, based on police arguments heard in private, could change once Ms Breen’s legal team put forward their case.
Lawyers for the chief constable want her to hand over phones, computers, discs and notes related to articles she has written about the dissident republican terror grouping.
Ms Breen received the Real IRA’s claim of responsibility for the murders of Sappers Mark Quinsey (23) and Patrick Azimkar (21), who were shot dead as they collected pizzas outside Massereene barracks in March.
She is refusing to co-operate with the PSNI request, insisting she must protect her sources.
Her lawyers also claimed any compliance could threaten her right to life under the European Convention, pointing out how the dissidents have threatened anyone offering assistance to the Crown.
Following a police application heard in private last Friday, Judge Burgess said that based on what he had been told so far he may make the order sought.
“If I heard absolutely nothing else in this case I would be minded to take a particular step.” However, the judge made clear that no decision had yet been taken.”
With Ms Breen’s lawyers still to put forward their reasons for rejecting the application, he assured Peter Girvan, for the journalist: “Where I will be after I hear your argument could be in a completely different place altogether.
“I have a totally open mind as to where this case is going to end up.”
With a further hearing listed for later this month, outside the court Ms Breen claimed it was a disgrace to be fighting a legal battle without knowing the details of the case against her.
“What are the police frightened of?” she asked.
“This case is making it very hard for myself and the Sunday Tribune to defend ourselves.”
Ms Breen emphasised her arguments would be based on the protection of sources, a journalist’s right to confidentiality, and the risk to her life were she to comply with the police demands.
“If the police get what they want journalists will not be able to do their jobs. This case potentially could close down journalism,” she claimed.
Seamus Dooley, Irish secretary of the National Union of Journalists, attended court in a show of support for Ms Breen.
He claimed there was a “Kafkaesque” element to the case where she was being asked to defend herself against points made in private. “She faces a threat to her life with her hands tied completely behind her back.”