Irish Republican News · December 23, 2011

Corey wins internment review

Armagh man Martin Corey has won High Court permission to mount a challenge to his re-imprisonment.

Martin Corey was granted leave to seek a judicial review of the decision to revoke his release over unspecified allegations that he was involved with ‘dissidents’.

The 61-year-old from Lurgan, received a life sentence in 1973 for IRA activities. He was released ‘on licence’ in 1992 having served 19 years in prison.

But in April 2010 the British Direct Ruler ordered his internment on the basis of what his legal team described as “closed material”.

The move led to a number of protest rallies and a support campaign to have him freed.

Mr Corey issued judicial review proceedings against the Parole Commissioners on the basis of the secrecy surrounding this material.

His barrister, Karen Quinlivan QC, argued that claims of involvement with ‘dissidents’ have been made without any detail. She said it had been impossible to challenge the revocation order because of the undisclosed Information.

Ms Quinlivan argued that the European Court of Human Rights and Britain’s House of Lords both made it clear that details must be given in such circumstances.

Justice Treacy granted leave to apply for a judicial review with a hearing in March.

Responding to the development, the Release Martin Corey Campaign called for his immediate release.

“Martin Corey, a former Republican PoW, is held as a political hostage by the British government. He has been interned at the behest of the British Secretary of State for over 1 year and 8 months.

“Martin was taken from his home in April 2010 and locked up in Maghaberry Prison -- he is still awaiting an acceptable reason for the revocation of his licence.

“The only information released to Martin is that he is ‘a security risk’ and cites unspecified allegations relating him ‘being a Republican’ - as if being a Republican was in itself an offence.

“While we welcome the fact that there has been some movement and a date set for a judicial review, we have to point out that Martin must now spend at least another three months locked in a prison cell.

“In a civilised society locking up citizens without charge or trial must be challenged.”

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