A complaint against the handcuffing of three suspected members of the "Real IRA" was made by their solicitor at a pre-trial hearing at the Old Bailey in London yesterday, writes Rachel Donnelly
The three men, Mr Fintan O'Farrell (37), Mr Declan Rafferty (41), and Mr Michael McDonald (44), all from Co Louth, face five terrorist-related offences and were handcuffed to three prison officers as they sat in the dock during the 15minute hearing.
Objecting to the handcuffing, their solicitor, Ms Gareth Peirce, said she was informed of the decision shortly before the hearing and was therefore unable to resist the application. Judge Hyams told Ms Peirce that while there may have been "good reasons" for handcuffing the men during the hearing, in his view the decision should not be regarded as a precedent.
Prosecution counsel, Mr Simon Denison, told the court that the men were arrested in Slovakia on July 5th and following extradition they arrived in Britain on August 30th. The following day they were each formally charged with five terrorist-related offences concerning the alleged procurement of weapons and explosives.
The men were further remanded in custody until November 12th.