'Stormont Spy-Ring' accused cleared of all charges

One of the four people charged in connection with the so-called "Stormontgate affair" which led to the collapse of the Northern…

One of the four people charged in connection with the so-called "Stormontgate affair" which led to the collapse of the Northern Ireland Executive after the discovery of an alleged IRA spy ring has been cleared of all charges.

Ms Fiona Farrelly, a 47 year-old caterer, from Rosgoill Park, West Belfast, was freed after the charges against her were withdrawn without explanation by the Crown Service at the Magistrates Court in Belfast today.

She had been accused of of possessing the personal details of prison officers and having an IBM Think Pad laptop which could be useful to terrorists.

The three other accused, who were due to be committed for trial today, had  their cases adjourned until next month. They are charged with possessing documents which could be useful to terrorists.

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They are Mr Denis Donaldson (53), Sinn Fein's head of administration at Stormont, from Áitnamóna Crescent, his son-in-law Mr Ciaran Kearney (32), from Commedagh Drive, and Mr William Mackessy (45), a former Stormont porter, from Wolfend Way, Ligoniel, Belfast.

Mr Peter Madden, solicitor for one of the men, complained that although the case had been listed for a preliminary enquiry today the papers had only been served this morning.

The three accused were remanded on continuing bail until January 7th.