The Five Demands

Respinto l’appello per la scarcerazione di Terry McCafferty, perchè ritenuto leader del Real IRA

Terry McCafferty, 41 anni, rilasciato su licenza lo scorso novembre, per poi essere nuovamente arrestato il mese successivo, dovrà restare nel carcere di Maghaberry dove è attualmente detenuto; questa la decisione del giudice Coghlin.
La motivazione del provvedimento è contenuta in una lettera del Ministro della Sicurezza Paul Goggins, resa nota per l’occasione.
E’ stato rivelato che Terry McCafferty è stat riarrestato sulla base di informazioni di intelligence fornite a Goggings secondo cui il repubblicano sarebbe tutt’ora il leader del RIRA.
Il giudice ha dichiarato: “Per giungere a tale decisione Paul Goggins ha avuto accesso alle informazioni messe a sua disposizione secondo le quale lei è un esponente di spicco e attivo del Real Irish Republican Army, che ha ricoperto la carica di Officer Commanding del RIRA all’interno della prigione di Maghaberry, prima del rilascio avvenuto nel novembre 2008.
“Durante il periodo di condanna, è rimasto in costante contatto con i membri di spicco del RIRA, coinvolto negli affari del RIRA, e ha mostrato una chiara volontà di continuare il proprio coinvolgimento in attività del RIRA, e nella pianificazione di attacchi che costituiscono una minaccia per la pubblica sicurezza.
“Da subito dopo il rilascio, lei è stato in contatto costante con figure di di prim’ordine del RIRA. È stato valutato che lei abbia rivestito un ruolo di primo piano nell’organizzazione e nella pianificazione di attacchi”.
Terry McCafferty ha negato ogni aspetto della lettera di Goggings e i suoi legali hanno avanzato l’ipotesi che il Ministro della Sicurezza sia venuto in possesso di informazioni, il cui accesso è stato negato alla difesa.
Respingendo il ricorso del repubblicano, il giudice Coghlin ha di fatto avvalorato il potere decisionale di Paul Goggings.

Alleged dissident leader sent back to jail (U TV)
Security Minister Paul Goggins has sent a Belfast man back to jail based on intelligence which alleged he was a Real IRA leader planning terror attacks immediately after his release.
The reasons for revoking Terence McCafferty’s licence were disclosed as he lost his appeal against the decision being taken by Mr Goggins.
His lawyers had argued that only Secretary of State Shaun Woodward had the power to order his return to prison.
McCafferty, from the New Lodge area of the city, received a 12 year sentence in July 2005 after being convicted of possessing explosives.
The 41-year-old was released on licence last November, only to be rearrested the following month and returned to Maghaberry Prison near Lisburn, Co Antrim.
Mr Goggins authorised the revocation on the grounds that his continued liberty would put the public at risk and the possibility of further offences.
Following a failed application for a writ of habeas corpus, McCafferty sought to overturn the decision in the Court of Appeal.
Ruling on the new challenge, Lord Justice Coghlin set out the contents of letter from the Security Minister giving reasons for revoking his licence.
It stated: “In reaching that decision Paul Goggins had regard to information made available to him that you are a leading and active member of the Real Irish Republican Army, who held the position of officer commanding of RIRA prisoners within HMP Maghaberry prior to your release from prison in November 2008.
“During your sentence, you remained in regular contact with senior RIRA members and involved in directing RIRA business, and displayed a clear desire to continue your involvement in RIRA activity on your release, including in becoming involved in plans for attacks that would present a threat to public safety.
“From immediately on your release you have been in regular contact with leading RIRA figures. It is assessed that you have taken up a leading role in the organisation and have been involved in plans to conduct attacks.”
McCafferty categorically denies the allegations in the letter, which was not read out in open court during a summary of the nine-page judgment.
His legal team claimed the Security Minister was biased because he was unlikely to have made an independent decision on someone believed to pose a threat.
It was also argued that he probably had access to “damaging information” which could not be seen by McCafferty or his advisors for security reasons.
But Lord Justice Coghlin, sitting with Lord Justices Higgins and Girvan, found no substance in the submissions.
Dismissing the appeal, the judge acknowledged ultimate responsibility for security in Northern Ireland rests with the Secretary of State.
“Both he and the Minister will have the same concerns for and receive the same briefings about the matters of security and both are subject to the same systems of accountability,” he said.
“Both occupy high offices of State. In such circumstances, it is entirely appropriate that the Minister of State should be entitled to exercise the Secretary of State’s decision making functions under the 1995 (Remission of Sentences) Act.”