Anti-war activist gets sentence adjourned for a week

Anti-war activist Mary Kelly (52) yesterday succeeded in having her sentencing for the criminal damage of a US aircraft adjourned for a week after telling a judge she needed legal representation for the sentencing process.

At Ennis Circuit Court yesterday, Kelly, who represented herself during the six-day case, asked Judge Carroll Moran to adjourn sentencing for one month to allow her retain a barrister and a solicitor to make her plea before being sentenced.

Kelly was convicted on Thursday night by a 10-2 majority verdict by a jury of eight men and four women of the criminal damage without lawful excuse of a US navy aircraft at Shannon on January 29th, 2003.

The trial heard that Kelly took an axe to the navy aircraft causing €1.1 million in damage and that the aircraft was en route from Fort Worth in Texas to a military logistics base in Italy, carrying spare parts and spare tyres.

The matter was adjourned to yesterday for sentencing and Ms Kelly was accompanied to Ennis courthouse by family members and up to 50 supporters.

However, when the matter came before Judge Moran, Kelly requested the adjournment to allow secure legal representation "because I am not capable of making a plea for the sentencing".

Judge Moran said he could not accede to a month-long adjournment but instead adjourned the matter for one week. The maximum sentence allowed on conviction is 10 years' imprisonment.

Ms Kelly also made an application for the court to pay €20,000 in expenses to witnesses who have travelled from abroad to testify on her behalf.

During the case, Judge Moran refused to allow expert witnesses such as former assistant secretary general to the UN Denis Halliday and professor of international law Curtis Doebbler to testify on Kelly's behalf. He told the jury he did not allow those witnesses to give evidence "because I did not want this case to degenerate into a political debate".

Yesterday he refused Kelly's application for their costs in attending court. "Those witnesses didn't give evidence and I am not allowing their costs."

Kelly was remanded on bail to re-appear before the court next November 5th.