Barrister in Derry alleges search on way to court

A barrister told a judge in Derry yesterday that he is to make a formal complaint to the Bar Council after he said he was deliberately stopped and searched by police officers while on his way to court.

Plunkett Nugent, who has been a barrister for seven years, told Judge Barney McElholm that the police officers who stopped him while he was driving to the court said they were looking for “transmitters and munitions” inside his car.

Mr Nugent said two police officers stopped him as he approached the Craigavon Bridge in the Waterside area of the city when he was on his way to the court for a video link hearing involving his client. He said because of the delay he was late for the hearing.

The barrister represents Nathan Hastings (20), Stradowen Drive, Strathfoyle, Derry, who has been in custody since his arrest on April 12th.

Police had found explosives in a car which they stopped and searched as it was being driven along Northland Road.

Mr Hastings is charged with possessing an improvised explosive device, explosives, a firearm and ammunition.

Mr Nugent said he believed he was “deliberately stopped by the police” because of the nature of the case in which he was involved. He said the officer who stopped his car said he’d been told to do so by a colleague.

Judge McElholm said Mr Nugent could raise the matter with the appropriate professional body or through other avenues. Judge McElholm said he would be concerned if “this type of thing” was to become more common.

“The independence of the legal professional, like the independence of a free press, is one of the cornerstones of democracy,” he said.