Dissident republican Marian Price has been returned to jail after a court heard she threatened to disrupt Queen Elizabeth’s visit to the Republic this week.
Northern Ireland Secretary Owen Paterson signed a new order sending Price to prison as she appeared in Derry Magistrate’s Court accused of encouraging support for an illegal organisation.
Even though she was granted bail, the defendant, whose name was given in court today as Marian McGlinchey (57), was immediately rearrested by police after the court heard of fears that she would get involved in threats to disrupt the Queen’s visit.
Ms Price, from Stockman’s Avenue in Belfast, denies addressing a meeting to encourage support for the IRA at the city cemetery in Derry on Easter Monday. The charge relates to a commemoration rally organised by the 32 County Sovereignty Movement, viewed as the political wing of the Real IRA, of which the defendant is secretary.
Mr Paterson sent her back to prison following advice from the Parole Commissioners that the risk of serious harm posed by her had increased significantly. She has the right to challenge the commissioners’ recommendation.
She was jailed for life for the IRA bombing of the Old Bailey in London in 1973. She was released from prison in 1980 on licence on medical grounds.
A PSNI detective sergeant told the District Judge Barney McElholm today that the charge related to the defendant “holding a piece of paper for a masked man who read out a statement on behalf of the IRA”.
The detective sergeant said that the man threatened assassination against anyone from the nationalist or republican community who may be perceived by the IRA to be a traitor. There were also threats within the speech against members of the republican movement involved in criminal acts who would claim the label of being members of the IRA. There were also threats to continue a military campaign.
The police witness said that the defendant stated that she had no knowledge that a masked man would be present at the event nor did she know of the content of the statement.
The officer said he opposed bail being granted because the Secretary of State had revoked the defendant’s licence and because he believed she might abscond.
Her solicitor Peter Corrigan told the court: “The Secretary of State last night revoked her licence. I believe this is not lawful and it drives a coach and horse through the presumption of innocence.”
Mr Corrigan said that at the Easter Monday event at the city cemetery, a masked man walked towards Ms Price and asked her to hold the written statement because it was very windy.
“We must not have a system in this country where there is internment on remand, we must have a system of due process,” he said.
She is due to appear in court again for a video link hearing on June 9th.
Sinn Féin deputy chair of the Northern Assembly's justice committee Raymond McCartney said Marian Price was entitled to due process and the revoking of her licence was "completely unacceptable".
He said the move amounted to "detention without trial".
“We have already raised our concerns on this issue with the British Secretary of State and will do the same with the Justice Minister as a matter of urgency.”
PA