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Couple want IRA conviction quash decision made public

category national | crime and justice | other press author Friday April 19, 2013 16:11author by Joe Mc

A couple sent to prison in connection with the 1989 murder of alleged IRA informer, Joe Fenton , have asked that the contents of a "secret dossier" seen by prosecutors be made public.

James Martin and Veronica Ryan, from Belfast, were convicted of falsely imprisoning alleged IRA informer, Joe Fenton, before he was killed in 1989. Last year, the public prosecution service said the couple would not have been charged if it had been aware of confidential material it has now seen.

Although the PPS accepts the convictions should be overturned, it has refused to allow the couple know why its position has changed . Yesterday it asked the Court of Appeal to give a closed judgment - which means the material will remain secret. The court reserved judgment.

A statement made after yesterday’s hearing by a barrister representing James Martin suggested that Mr. Martin’s defence team think the Belfast DPP does not want the fact disclosed because the murder for which the couple was convicted of assisting was in fact carried out by a state agent acting within the IRA.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-northern-ireland-22208527?...hisFB


http://www.indymedia.ie/article/103557

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