NI court to hear ceasefire challenge

A victim of IRA violence, with the support of the Ulster Unionist Party, is due in the Belfast High Court today to take a legal challenge against the Northern Secretary's ruling that the IRA did not violate its ceasefire when it murdered Mr Charles Bennett.

Ms Michelle Williamson, whose parents were killed in the IRA Shankill bombing of 1993, is applying for a judicial review of Dr Mowlam's judgment that the IRA ceasefire is intact, despite her conviction that it murdered Mr Bennett and attempted to smuggle in arms from Florida.

The UUP leader, Mr David Trimble, along with other senior unionists, including Mr Jeffrey Donaldson MP, is expected in the High Court this morning to lend support to Ms Williamson (32) in her action.

If successful in her application, Dr Mowlam and the RUC Chief Constable, Sir Ronnie Flanagan, could be required to give evidence.

The challenge is expected to focus on legal arguments that Dr Mowlam's decision is in direct contradiction of the Northern Ireland (Sentences) Act, 1998.

"This case goes right to the heart of the peace process by seeking to establish whether the IRA is committed to peaceful means," Mr Donaldson said. "If they are not, then the benefits that accrue to them, including the early release of prisoners, should no longer apply."