Madden & Finucane
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Madden & Finucane
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the Madden & Finucane
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Press Release – For Immediate Release
On Behalf Of Our Client – Drew King
09 July 2010 --
This morning, at Craigavon District Judges’ Court our client Drew King had
charges of murdering the Sunday World journalist, Martin O’Hagan withdrawn by a
Senior Prosecutor from the Public Prosecution Service.
Our client was charged in September 2008 on the basis of evidence provided by a
witness known only as Witness “A” to the media. This individual provided his
first statement to the PSNI Retrospective Murder Review Unit in July 2007. For
the last 21 months we have been continually raising issues about the credibility
and reliability of Witness “A” who has a criminal record going back almost half
a century. We have had serious concerns about the PPS relying on his evidence in
circumstances were no other evidence at all connected our client to the offence.
As a result of a series of disclosure applications aimed at determining what
evidence the Public Prosecution Service were seeking to rely upon, at our
client’s recent remand hearings, this week the PPS finally admitted in writing,
almost two years on from the date of charge, that no decision had been taken to
prosecute Drew King.
In addition, they further confirmed in writing that they were “presently unable
to indicate whether Witness “A” will be a prosecution witness at any trial of
your client”.
Mr King’s solicitor, Ciarán Shiels from Madden & Finucane, said today:
“It is a matter of huge concern that any defendant should have been charged and
remanded in custody to Maghaberry Prison on the basis of statements of a witness
so lacking in credibility. “Witness A”s allegations were uncorroborated by any
other form of evidence whether it be forensic, identification or admissions made
in interview. When making decisions in the future to charge citizens with
offences, particularly serious offences, the PPS must do so with much more care
than was exhibited in this case.”
As a result of the application, charges were also withdrawn against co-accused
Nigel Lecky, Robin King and Mark Kennedy. A Preliminary Enquiry in relation to
the final defendant, Neil Hyde is currently listed for 13th August 2010.
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