'Martin Corey’s imprisonment is unacceptable and an affront to his human rights and natural justice'
THE continued imprisonment of Martin Corey is an affront to his human rights and natural justice, Raymond McCartney MLA said on Thursday after Sinn Féin met with British Secretary of State Theresa Villiers concerning the Lurgan man’s continued imprisonment.
Matin Corey (pictured right) received a life sentence in December 1973, when he was 19 years old, for killing two members of the RUC in an IRA operation. He served 19 years and was released in June 1992.
In the early hours of 16 April 2010, 18 years after his release, he was rearrested and informed that the Secretary of State had revoked his licence because he was “a security risk”.
Last year, a Belfast judge ordered his release on unconditional bail because he was being held on the basis of secret evidence. But while he waiting to be bailed, the Secretary of State over-ruled the judge and ordered him to be arrested again.
Sinn Féin Assembly member Raymond McCartney said that British Secretary of State Theresa Villiers tried to wash her hands of the case and was “of no help whatsoever” in Thursday's meeting with her.
“Martin Corey is now in prison for three and a half years without having been charged, questioned or his legal representatives shown the alleged evidence that is against him.
“His latest parole hearing has been postponed yet again. Martin Corey has had no parole hearing since 2011. His continued imprisonment is unacceptable and an affront to his human rights and natural justice.
“Sinn Féin will be meeting with Justice Minister David Ford in the coming weeks to press him to bring this injustice to an end. The British Secretary of State was of no help whatsoever and attempted to wash her hands of the case.
“If there is evidence to show that Martin Corey is a risk to the public it should be put before him and his legal team so that it can be challenged. Natural justice is being denied to this man and it needs to end.”
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