Special category status for Special Air Services
Two SAS killers were accorded special category treatment when they
(presumably) appeared in Ballymena Magistrates' Court on February
6th. In an unprecedented move seven unidentified men in plain clothes
appeared in the dock. Charges against Alan Bohan and Ronald Tempedley
of murder of Dunloy youth John Boyle were read out, but the two
weren't identified and none of the seven answered.
The two SAS men were granted £2,000 personal bail, and remained in
military custody. When the Magistrate finished the court proceedings
all seven rose and left the court by a side entrance. Journalists
were extremely angry and asked court officals and detectives to
identify Bohan and Tempedley. They refused. A heated argument broke
out with the pressmen pointing out that the hearing lacked all
credibility, the defendants weren't identified and in fact may
actually have not been in court.
There was no actual proof that two SAS men had been charged at all.
The courtroom was eventually cleared whilst protesting journalists
shouted ``Sham'', ``Travesty of Justice'' and ``disgusting'', as they
stormed out.
Phoblacht 17th February 1979
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