IRA bomber's family lose damages claim

The family of a convicted IRA bomber has failed to win damages for false imprisonment after officers made a series of raids at their homes.

Relatives of Sean McNulty claimed Northumbria Police acted illegally in holding them following three explosions on Tyneside in 1993.

McNulty's mother Dorothy, 54, uncle Niall, 52, and aunt Valerie, 50, as well as former girlfriend Susan Hunter, 41, failed in their bid to win damages against the force on Tuesday at the High Court in Newcastle.

A further four claimants, who were children at the time of the arrests, also lost a claim that they were illegally held, then put into foster care when the adults were arrested.

I am entirely satisfied that this operation was conducted in accordance with the law from start to finish

Mr Justice Potts

McNulty, codenamed Ice Cube by MI5, was jailed for 25 years at the Old Bailey in 1994 for his attacks on an Esso oil terminal in North Shields and a gasholder in Gateshead in the Spring of 1993.

Now aged 35, he was released in 2000 under the terms of the Good Friday Agreement.

At the time of the offences McNulty lived with his parents, Bernard and Dorothy, in North Shields and was close to his uncle Niall.

The family was staunchly Republican, the court heard, and police officers knew members of IRA cells needed a support network to help them.

He had recently started seeing his girlfriend, Ms Hunter, and occasionally stayed at her house.

His parents, uncle, aunt and then girlfriend were held in a series of raids at their homes.

'Serious offences'

Two of McNulty's juvenile cousins and his ex-girlfriend's two children were taken to a police station before being handed over to social services and put into foster care for one night.

His parents, uncle and sister Annette Walker were held for seven days under the Prevention of Terrorism Act.

Ms Walker dropped her claim against the force before it came to court.

During his two-hour judgment, Justice Potts told the claimants: "I am entirely satisfied that this operation was conducted in accordance with the law from start to finish."

Outside court a Northumbria Police spokeswoman said: "What began as a series of very serious offences allegations against Northumbria Police were mostly withdrawn prior to the final hearing.

"This judgment shows that our officers conducted themselves professionally throughout in protecting the public from extreme acts of terrorism."

The claimants refused to comment after the case.