socialist environmental alliance header

Derry Anti War Coalition (link to website)

Raytheon 9 - preliminary hearing 5 June, charges reduced

Thursday 5th April 2007

News from Colm Bryce of the Raytheon 9

We were in court again this morning and just wanted to give you an update.

Before the hearing, our lawyers got an indication that the state was ready to proceed and that the charge of 'aggravated burglary', which was a scheduled offence under the Terrorism Act, would no longer be pursued.

Instead, we are to be charged with 'affray', which can also be a scheduled offence, but in this case it is to be descheduled. We will also be charged with two counts of 'criminal damage'.

This means that our case will be heard before a jury at the Crown Court in Derry, probably in the autumn, at the earliest.

The next stage is a Preliminary Enquiry, at which (as I understand it) the Crown Prosecution Service present the charges to pursued and outline the evidence. The police are saying that they are still processing 150 witness statements (!!!). Who from, we're not sure, though there were a lot of police outside by the time we were arrested.

The Preliminary Enquiry will be on Thursday 5 June 2007, at Bishop Street Courthouse in Derry.

We will be organising the biggest possible rally outside the courthouse on that day, calling for the charges to be dropped, as it may be the only opportunity we get this year to demonstrate the support for the Raytheon 9. We would urge anyone connected to anti-war groups in other parts of the country to begin making plans now to come to Derry for that day - it will mean booking some time off work - and spread the word about it.

We plan to relaunce the statement of support (in a more concise, easy to use form and listing all those who have supported us so far) in the next week, so that it can be used to build support for the 5 June rally especially. We aim to send it to every councillor, TD, MLA, MP, trade union etc in ireland and further afield. If you have suggestions for particular people in your area who might sign it, please let us know. We aim to publish the statement in the press before the trial starts.

Lastly, our good friends in Cork Against War group are putting on a fundraiser for the Raytheon 9 on Thurs 19 April, fair play to them.

Next meeting of the Derry Anti-War Coalition will be on Monday 16th April in Mason's Bar at 8pm, to make a start on organising the rally for the 5 June.

Best regards,

Colm

ONE WORLD---ONE STRUGGLE!

SUPPORT THE RAYTHEON 9!

MERCHANTS OF DEATH OUT OF DERRY NOW!





SEA Logo