Dissident Republican ‘waged campaign against former friend’

A leading member of a dissident Irish Republican political group was bombarded with phone calls and letters by a fellow activist in a bitter feud over child sex accusations, a court heard today.

Michael Holden, a member of the 32 County Sovereignty Movement which is seen as the political wing of the Real IRA was the victim of an 18-month campaign of harassment by Patrick McDonnell, 61, magistrates were told.

McDonnell, a former leader of the Republican Sinn Fein group, targeted Mr Holden in the mistaken belief that he had spread rumours that McDonnell was a ‘‘closet gay and a paedophile’’.

McDonnell, from Toxteth, Liverpool, denied one charge of harassment at Dacorum Magistrates Court in Hemel Hempstead, Hertfordshire.

Miss Lynn Fanshawe told the court that McDonnell and Mr Holden met several years ago while both were members of Republican Sinn Fein, the political wing of the Continuity IRA, and were good friends.

But their relationship deteriorated in early 1999, and McDonnell began calling at Mr Holden’s home in Hemel Hempstead, and writing letters demanding an apology.

McDonnell also faxed letters to Alcon Laboratories, where Mr Holden worked as a security guard, saying he had made false allegations.

Miss Fanshawe said McDonnell also sent letters to other Irish Republican groups accusing Mr Holden of slander and claiming that he had been a Special Constable in Britain.

‘‘Allegations such as these could have, of course, jeopardised the injured party’s personal safety,’’ she said.

McDonnell, she said, had also left late-night telephone messages repeatedly saying ‘‘I will bring death to your house’’ and accompanied by what sounded like the firing of a gun.

Police arrested McDonnell in October 2000 and in a search of his house found documents identical to the ones received by Mr Holden’s workplace, she added.