OMAGH SUSPECT 'VICTIMISED'
Omagh suspect 'victimised'
By Barry McCaffrey
SOLICITORS acting for an Omagh bomb suspect have threatened to take High Court action to recover legal documents seized from his prison cell.
Co Armagh man Sean Hoey (36), of Molly Road, Jonesborough, has been held in Maghaberry prison since September while awaiting trial for the murder of the 29 people and unborn twins who died in the 1998 atrocity. He denies the charges.
However his solicitor Peter Corrigan has threatened to go to the High Court to recover legal documents taken from his client's prison cell on Tuesday.
"This is a total violation of my client's right to a proper and privileged defence," he said.
"These privileged documents, which are crucial to his case, were removed without warrant and are now being held somewhere in Maghaberry prison.
"We do not know where they are or who has been given access to them. We have written to the governor of Maghaberry and demanded their immediate return.
"If they are not returned (today) we will have no option but to go to the High Court to demand their return.
"My client feels that he is being victimised because of the charges which he is facing."
Defending the decision to remove the documents, a Prison Service spokesman said: "We can confirm that a routine search was carried out and some material removed from the prisoner's cell.
"Because of the nature of the material, it is being kept in a secure place.
"The prisoner will be given access to it as and when required."
By Barry McCaffrey
SOLICITORS acting for an Omagh bomb suspect have threatened to take High Court action to recover legal documents seized from his prison cell.
Co Armagh man Sean Hoey (36), of Molly Road, Jonesborough, has been held in Maghaberry prison since September while awaiting trial for the murder of the 29 people and unborn twins who died in the 1998 atrocity. He denies the charges.
However his solicitor Peter Corrigan has threatened to go to the High Court to recover legal documents taken from his client's prison cell on Tuesday.
"This is a total violation of my client's right to a proper and privileged defence," he said.
"These privileged documents, which are crucial to his case, were removed without warrant and are now being held somewhere in Maghaberry prison.
"We do not know where they are or who has been given access to them. We have written to the governor of Maghaberry and demanded their immediate return.
"If they are not returned (today) we will have no option but to go to the High Court to demand their return.
"My client feels that he is being victimised because of the charges which he is facing."
Defending the decision to remove the documents, a Prison Service spokesman said: "We can confirm that a routine search was carried out and some material removed from the prisoner's cell.
"Because of the nature of the material, it is being kept in a secure place.
"The prisoner will be given access to it as and when required."
Further Information
Publisher: THE IRISH NEWS
Ref: IN/0763
Published Date: 03-Nov-05
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