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Suspect to challenge conditions
03 October 2008 --
One of the men charged with the murder of reporter Martin O’Hagan is considering
a legal challenge against the prison service after being held in a punishment
cell since being remanded in custody last month.
Drew King (40) from Moss Road, Waringstown appeared in Craigavon Magistrates
Court on September 24 charged with the murder of the Sunday World crime
reporter.
Since then King has been held in the special secure unit (SSU) of Maghaberry
prison.
Sources within the top security jail said staff are refusing to work on the same
wing as the Lurgan loyalist who is currently in a relationship with a former
prison officer.
Prison staff have complained that the 40-year-old could be in a position to
compromise their personal safety because of his ongoing friendship with a female
former prison officer.
Five people are facing charges in relation to the 2001 murder of Mr O’Hagan.
Drew King and two other men, Nigel Leckey (43) and Neil Hyde (28), are accused
of murdering the 51-year-old reporter as he returned from a night out at a local
pub.
Hyde is believed to have already agreed to give evidence against his co-accused
and is being held in the hospital wing of the Co Down prison.
Leckey is also expected to give evidence against his former loyalist associates
and is being held in isolation at the top-security jail for his own protection.
Leading Lurgan loyalist Robin King (42), a brother of Drew King, has been
charged with attempting to pervert the course of justice by disposing of the
getaway car used in the killing.
The only one of the four on bail, Mark Kennedy (28), is accused of helping to
facilitate the disposal or concealment of the Subaru Impreza car used in the
killing.
King’s solicitor, Ciaran Shiels, a partner with Madden and Finucane solicitors,
said they were in contact with the Northern Ireland Prison Service over the
decision to hold their client on the punishment wing.
“We are in correspondence with the prison service in relation to this, Mr King
should not be held in the prison punishment block,” he said.
“Mr King is a remand prisoner, he has not been charged with any offence relating
to a breech of prison discipline and does not face any adjudication procedure.
“We have asked the prison service to provide us with adequate reasons as to why
he is being held in the secure punishment unit; failing that we will be
considering legal action to challenge this decision.”
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