Price jailed amid fears of disruption to queen’s visit

OLD Bailey bomber Marian Price is back in jail after a claim that she threatened to disrupt the British Queen’s visit to Ireland.

Northern Secretary Owen Paterson signed a new order sending her to prison as she appeared in court in Derry accused of encouraging support for an illegal organisation following a dissident republican rally in Derry at Easter.

Even though she was granted bail, the suspect, aged 57, was immediately rearrested by police after the court heard of fears that she would get involved in threats to disrupt the visit.

A detective sergeant said: “The 32 County Sovereignty Movement have openly said they will carry out acts to disrupt events occurring in the near future like the royal visit and that may mean future public order events which the defendant might involve herself in.”

The defendant, from Stockman’s Avenue in Belfast, denies addressing a meeting to encourage support for the Real IRA at the city cemetery in Derry on Easter Monday.

The charge relates to a commemoration rally organised by the 32 County Sovereignty Movement, which provides political advice to the Real IRA, of which the defendant is secretary. Police said she held a piece of paper for a masked man who read a Real IRA statement.

Mr Paterson sent her back to prison following advice from the Parole Commissioners that the risk of serious harm posed by her had risen significantly. She has the right to challenge the commissioners’ recommendation. She had been freed on licence from a life term.

Her solicitor Peter Corrigan told the court: “The Secretary of State last night revoked her licence. I believe this is not lawful and it drives a coach and horse through the presumption of innocence.”

The defendant, whose name was given in court yesterday as Marian McGlinchey, was jailed for the IRA bombing of the Old Bailey in London in 1973. She was released from prison in 1980 on medical grounds.

The detective sergeant told District Judge Barney McElholm that the charge related to the defendant “holding a piece of paper for a masked man who read out a statement on behalf of the IRA”.

The detective sergeant said the man threatened assassination for anyone from the nationalist or republican community who may be perceived by the Real IRA to be a traitor.

The officer said he opposed bail being granted because the Secretary of State had revoked the defendant’s licence and because he believed she might abscond.

Applying for bail, Mr Corrigan said at the Easter event, a masked man walked towards her and asked her to hold the written statement because it was very windy: “We must not have a system in this country where there is internment on remand, we must have a system of due process.”

Judge McElholm released the defendant on her own bail of £5,000 (€5,717) together with two sureties, each of £10,000. As part of her bail conditions the defendant was ordered to surrender her passport and also ordered not to attend, organise or participate in any public or private event which might be attended by a member of a proscribed organisation or by a masked or armed person.

As the defendant was driven from the courthouse in a police car, about 50 supporters chanted “SS RUC” at dozens of police officers who were on duty.

The Northern Secretary said his decision to return Price to prison was taken to ensure the safety of the people of the North.

Price is due to appear in court again for a video link hearing on June 9.