Easter rally case cost £8k

He also said it was a matter for the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) whether or not to challenge the ruling of a local District Judge not to return the defendants for trial to the Crown Court.

Earlier this month Londonderry District Judge Barney McElholm refused to return the four republicans to trial at the Crown Court saying there was no evidence upon which to do so.

District Judge McElholm refused the prosectution’s request for a further adjournment of the case saying the defendants were entitled to expect a reasonable timeframe for a fair trial.

Now Justice Minister David Ford has revealed the total cost of the case was £8,447.50: £5,234.00 in defence (legal aid costs); £2,758.50 in court (justiciary and staff costs); and £455 in facilities (eg. courtroom accommodation costs).

Mr Ford set out “the estimated costs associated with the case heard at Londonderry Magistrates’ Court on May 10, 2012.”

He added: “The case was not dismissed, the court refused to return the defendants for trial to the Crown Court.”

Asked for his assessment of a “reasonable timeframe” for a fair trial, Mr Ford stated: “There are a range of factors which may impact on what is considered a reasonable time for defendants to receive a fair trial, including the complexity of the investigation, the number and availability of witnesses and the volume of evidence.

“However, the assessment of a reasonable timeframe is a matter for the judiciary to determine in individual cases taking into account all the facts and circumstances of the case and not something on which I can comment.”

Mr Ford went on to state that it was a matter for the DPP whether or not to challenge the decision not to return the defendants for trial at the Crown Court or to recommence the proceedings

The Minister also revealed that of 24 defendants across Northern Ireland who were charged with offences associated with taking part in or organising an illegal parade over the last five years, 19 were prosecuted for participation in one rally in Londonderry in 2007.

However, only one of these 19 defendants were convicted.

Mr Ford also referred “one case in 2011 relating to a rally for a proscribed republican organisation in the County Court Division of Fermanagh and Tyrone.” The defendant was acquitted.