Court told of 'spy' case delays

Police raided Sinn Fein's Stormont office last October

A magistrate has called for forensic tests in a court case relating to an alleged IRA spy ring at Stormont to be given priority.

Mr George Connor made the comment at Belfast Magistrates Court on Wednesday after lawyers again complained about a delay in processing fingerprint evidence.

They were discussing the case of three men charged with possessing documents which could be useful to terrorists.

It follows the raid of Sinn Fein's offices at Stormont last October and the homes of some party members.

The accused are: Denis Donaldson, 53, from Aitnomona Crescent, Belfast, Sinn Fein's former head of administration at Stormont, his son-in-law Ciaran Kearney, 32, from Commedagh Drive, Belfast, and William Mackessy, 45, a former Stormont porter, from Wolfend Way, Ligoniel.

Solicitor Peter Madden told the court there had been an "unacceptable delay in this case, particularly in the light of the high profile arrests".

"Here we are 11 months down the line and still we don't have any evidence."

Detective Inspector Mike McErlane said there had been 23 murders since the defendants were charged last year and these and other cases were getting priority as the defendants were in custody, unlike the men in the dock who were on bail.

Denis Donaldson: Facing terrorist charge

Mr Madden then questioned the inspector about a book written by BBC security editor Brian Rowan in which he referred to the Stormont surveillance as "Operation Torsion".

Inspector McErlane said:"That's something I cannot comment on. It is not part of my investigation."

He said his job was to gather all available evidence and if there were matters the DPP wished to have investigated he could turn to other police departments.

Solicitor Joe McVeigh asked if any criminal or disciplinary investigation was taking place in regard to leaks to the press.

"Not to my knowledge," replied Inspect McErlane. "I have provided details of any contacts I have had with the press and I believe other officers have been asked to do the same. This is standard."

Mr Connor adjourned the hearing until 1 October when he said he would like to have some indication about when forensic testing was likely to be completed.

"Clearly this case must be given priority," he said.