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Martin Corey released from prison | Martin Corey released from prison |
(35 minutes later) | |
The prominent Irish republican, Martin Corey, has been released after almost four years in prison without trial. | |
He had been held in Maghaberry jail since April 2010 without any charges being brought against him, after he was deemed to be a risk to the public. | |
The Republican Sinn Féin member is a convicted double murderer. | |
Corey was originally sentenced to life in prison in 1973 for his part in the IRA murders of two police officers, but was released on licence in 1992. | |
He was re-arrested at his home in Lurgan, County Armagh, on 16 April 2010 and had been in custody since that date. | |
'Unspecified allegations' | |
He was told he was being sent back to jail because he was considered a risk to the public, but at the time neither Corey, or his legal team, were told why the authorities believed he posed a threat. | |
Former Northern Ireland Secretary of State Shaun Woodward had ordered his prison recall on the basis of "closed material" and unspecified allegations of involvement with dissident republicans. | |
Corey's supporters claimed he was being interned without trial and launched a campaign to secure his release. | |
Last May, his lawyers said they would challenge his detention in the European court. | |
Corey was released from custody on Wednesday evening on the instructions of Secretary of State for Northern Ireland Theresa Villiers. | |
'Political embarrassment' | |
He left Maghaberry prison via a back entrance in an unmarked van. | |
It is understood the conditions of his release include a ban on speaking to the media. | It is understood the conditions of his release include a ban on speaking to the media. |
Members of the Free Martin Corey Campaign have told the BBC they had concerns about the manner of his release. | Members of the Free Martin Corey Campaign have told the BBC they had concerns about the manner of his release. |
A campaign spokesperson, Cait Trainor, said: "It is clear the continued imprisonment of Martin Corey was a political embarrassment to the Northern Ireland Office and he was released in a way that would ensure minimum publicity." | A campaign spokesperson, Cait Trainor, said: "It is clear the continued imprisonment of Martin Corey was a political embarrassment to the Northern Ireland Office and he was released in a way that would ensure minimum publicity." |