A JUDGE yesterday saw TV news footage of the moment “dissident loyalist” Michael Stone stormed Parliament Buildings at Stormont.
Belfast Crown Court judge Mr Justice Deeny, who will rule without a jury, was shown footage from BBC and ITN camera crews where Stone can be seen being held by two security guards at the revolving entrance doors to Stormont, shouting various remarks about “no surrender . . . no powersharing . . . no sell-out . . . Sinn Féin b*******”.
While the incident is ongoing, other security staff usher the numerous media members out a side door towards an exit door shouting “move, move, move”.
From there, the footage continues outside Stormont where security guards are pinning Stone down, while reporters and cameramen make frantic phonecalls to their respective newsdesks.
Stone, of no fixed address, denies attempting to murder Sinn Féin president Gerry Adams and Deputy First Minister Martin McGuinness, as well as 12 other charges of possessing nail and pipe-bombs with intent, possessing three knives, an axe and a garotte and having an imitation firearm with intent to commit an offence.
It transpired that most of the footage was only disclosed to Stone’s defence team last week when officers went to BBC Broadcasting House and to ITN offices in London to get copies of what was recorded.
Defence QC Arthur Harvey asked Detective Constable Andrew Cord, the exhibits officer on the investigation, if any attempt had been made to view the material which has now been put before the court. The police officer said simply, “No, not to my knowledge.” It was also revealed that CCTV footage taken from security cameras inside Stormont will not form part of the prosecution case against Stone.
Prosecuting QC Charles Adair told Mr Justice Deeny that the crown intends to play more television footage to the court today before moving on to hear evidence from the security staff.