Police ask for anonymity in Donnelly case
Police officers due to give evidence in a compensation claim by leading dissident republican Gary Donnelly have applied for anonymity and screening, it's emerged.
A compensation claim by Mr. Donnelly against the PSNI Chief Constable was due for hearing at Derry County Court today (Wednesday).
However, in a dramatic development yesterday, counsel for the Chief Constable asked for an adjournment because "essential police witnesses" wanted to be screened.
He added that there would also be 'extensive Public Interest Immunity' applications seeking anonymity.
Counsel told Judge Grant that it had been "discovered" that Mr. Donnelly was linked to dissident republicans.
The court was told that two of the officers concerned in the case were 'involved in covert Special Branch operations' and, as such, wanted to be screened.
Defence solicitor Mr. Paddy MacDermott told the court he would be opposing the applications for anonymity and screening.
Judge Grant granted the adjournment but said he wanted the Chief Constable's application within seven days.
He set a new date for hearing on January 12.
The compensation claim arises out of an incident in 2002 when Mr. Donnelly was stopped by police while pushing a baby in a pram.
He objected to police searching the baby and insisted that a woman officer be present.
However, when police allegedly moved to search the baby, a melee broke out and Mr. Donnelly was subsequently charged with assaulting police.
After a trial at Derry Magistrate's Court, Mr. Donnelly was acquitted of the charges.
Email to a friend
Print this page
Looking for...
Featured advertisers
Jobs
Search for a job
Motors
Search for a car
Property
Search for a house
Weather for Derry
Sunday 12 February 2012
Today
Cloudy
Temperature: 5 C to 9 C
Wind Speed: 9 mph
Wind direction: South west
Tomorrow
Cloudy
Temperature: 7 C to 9 C
Wind Speed: 18 mph
Wind direction: North west
