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S. E. A. Statements

Court of Appeal Lifts Reporting Ban on Raytheon 9 Trial

Foyle Ethical Investment Campaign member's successful challenge to gagging order

Monday March 4th. 2008

The Derry Anti War Coalition is delighted that restrictions on reporting associated with the Raytheon trial have been lifted.

A statement today (Friday) from the Office of the Lord Chief Justice announced that the Recorder of Belfast, Judge Burgess, has delared that: "Subject to one overriding provision, he could see no reason to restrict reporting of the affairs of the company, Raytheon, or comment on its activities, including the business carried on by it."

This overturns the media gag imposed at Derry Court last November. It can now be reported, for example, that the trial has been moved from Derry to Belfast and will begin on May 19th. The fact that such basic details could not be reported is a measure of how draconian the original order was.

Since the gag was imposed, seven separate court appearances by the Raytheon 9 have gone unmentioned in the media.

The "overriding provision" referred to by Judge Burgess has to do with material directly relevant to the trial. This remaining restriction is no more than would be in operation in the normal course of events.

The Derry Anti War Coalition thanks and pays tribute to Shane O'Curry of the Foyle Ethical Investment Campaign. It was Shane's initative in launching a court challenge to the gag which led to today's development. We also thank Shane's legal representatives, Barbara Muldoon and Padraigin Drinan, for their efforts.

The DAWC will resume and escalate its campaign against the arms trade.

A PDF of the Notice of Appeal may be obtained here.





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