European court rejects claim of unfair IRA trial

The European Court of Human Rights ruled yesterday that a Dublin man did not get an unfair trial at the three-judge non-jury Special Criminal Court.

The Dubliner, Kenneth Donohoe, has claimed he did not get a fair trial because his lawyers were not given access to secret Garda files which the court viewed during the trial and on which a Garda chief superintendent based his belief that Donohoe was an IRA member.

But yesterday the court turned down his application and ruled the Garda privilege was essential for the protection of individuals and of state security.