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IRA ceasefire challenge rejected
Michelle Williamson pictured with David Trimble at an earlier hearing |
A Northern Ireland woman whose parents were killed in the Shankill bomb has lost her High Court challenge to former Secretary of State Mo Mowlam's controversial ruling that the IRA ceasefire has not broken down.
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Her action centred on Shankill bomber Sean Kelly who is due for early release next July.
Ms Williamson maintained he should be kept behind bars because IRA prisoners were not entitled to benefit from the early release scheme as it was not maintaining a "complete and unequivocal ceasefire."
To back up her argument her lawyers cited the murder of Charles Bennett and gun-running from the USA - both attributed to the IRA by the RUC chief constable.
But in rejecting Ms Williamson's application, Mr Justice Kerr said: "Parliament clearly contemplated that it would be possible for an organisation to be engaged in acts of violence while maintaining such a ceasefire."
Charles Bennett: His murder was linked to the IRA |
The Judge added: "The Secretary of State's conclusion that, notwithstanding PIRA's involvements in both these incidents (the Bennett murder and gun-running) it was maintaining a complete and unequivocal ceasefire cannot, therefore, in my opinion, be characterised as irrational."
He said the approach adopted by Mo Mowlam - now succeeded by Peter Mandelson - was a proper one.
She applied the correct statutory test and therefore the application for judicial review must be dismissed.
After the court ruling Peter Mandelson said he was satisfied with the outcome.
"I recognise that the ruling will cause hurt to others but no court judgement can ever undo the pain suffered by the victims of violence.
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See also: |
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20 Sep 99 | Northern Ireland |
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IRA ceasefire challenge |
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26 Aug 99 | Northern Ireland |
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IRA truce holds - Mowlam |
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31 Aug 99 | Northern Ireland |
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PM backs Mowlam's ceasefire stance |
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01 Sep 99 | Northern Ireland |
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Blair 'betraying' Northern Ireland - Hague |
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31 Aug 99 | Northern Ireland |
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Ulster Unionists delay review decision |
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Links to other Northern Ireland stories are at the foot of the page.
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