McKevitt appeal decision ‘another injustice’

The Republican Network for Unity has condemned the decision of a court in Dublin not to allow an appeal by Michael McKevitt to proceed, describing the case as a miscarriage of justice.

Mr McKevitt was arrested in 2001 on the word of a paid informer David Rupert who identified him as a leader of the ‘Real IRA’. In August 2003, he became the first person in the history of the 26 County state to be jailed on the charge of ‘directing terrorism’.

His lawyers had argued that a search warrant used to raid his home was invalid, as it was issued under an act later found to be unconstitutional by the Supreme Court; and that evidence used against McKevitt was taken while he was not legally represented.

In a recent ruling, the three judge panel accepted an argument by the State that Mr McKevitt had already exhausted his right of appeal. It also acceded to the State’s application to strike out the matter because his application was “unstateable and unarguable.”

“Once again Michael McKevitt and his family have been denied any semblance of justice,” the RNU said.

“This man is now entering his 12th year of imprisonment. He was convicted on the word of David Rupert an agent and convicted fraudster, in the pay of MI5, FBI and in all probability also in the employment of the 26 county intelligence services.

“Michael McKevitt was tried and convicted in the media long before he appeared before the special criminal court, he was arrested on a warrant that has now been ruled unlawful -- but not in Michael’s case. Even after all the long years of his imprisonment these agencies still fear his principled unyielding Republicanism.

“This case is yet another example of interment via judicial process along side Marian Price from Belfast, Tony Taylor from Derry and Martin Corey from Lurgan.

“RNU once again calls for the immediate release of of these prisoners and demand Amnesty International declare them political prisoners.”

Urgent Appeal