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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. | 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. | 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. | 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. | 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. | 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' | '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. | 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. | 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. | 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. | Last May, his lawyers said they would challenge his detention in the European court. |
Corey was released from custody on Wednesday evening. | Corey was released from custody on Wednesday evening. |
In a statement, a spokeswoman from the Northern Ireland Office (NIO) said that "the independent Parole Commissioners for Northern Ireland have issued their judgment in respect of Martin Corey". | In a statement, a spokeswoman from the Northern Ireland Office (NIO) said that "the independent Parole Commissioners for Northern Ireland have issued their judgment in respect of Martin Corey". |
"The Parole Commissioners have decided to release Martin Corey on a licence that is subject to conditions which are designed to manage the risk they assess him to pose," the NIO spokeswoman added. | "The Parole Commissioners have decided to release Martin Corey on a licence that is subject to conditions which are designed to manage the risk they assess him to pose," the NIO spokeswoman added. |
'Political embarrassment' | 'Political embarrassment' |
Corey left Maghaberry prison via a back entrance in an unmarked van at about 20:00 GMT | Corey left Maghaberry prison via a back entrance in an unmarked van at about 20:00 GMT |
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." |
Corey's release has been welcomed by Sinn Féin but the party said the government has "lessons to learn from his imprisonment". | |
Sinn Féin MLA Jennifer McCann said: "It is almost four years since the arrest and detention of Martin Corey. | |
"At no time was he questioned by police or were his legal team shown evidence against him. | |
"At no time was due process had. This was a clear abuse of Martin Corey's human rights and is an indictment on those who held him," Ms McCann said. | |
Corey's party, Republican Sinn Féin, was formed in 1986 following a split with the Sinn Féin leadership. | |
The roots of the fallout were over Sinn Féin's decision to take seats in the Irish parliament, thus ending its policy of abstention in the Republic of Ireland. |