'Abuse' Claim Delays Massereene Murder Trail

There has been a second delay in the court investigation into the murder of two soldiers by Real IRA gunmen.

The delay came amid claims that accused man Colin Duffy was subjected to sexual and physical abuse during a prison strip-search.

Defence lawyer Mark Mulholland told Coleraine Magistrates Court this week that 42-year-old Duffy, from Forest Glebe in Lurgan, had been left in "significant pain" as a result of the alleged physical abuse in prison.

Duffy, along with 45-year-old Brian Patrick Shivers, from Sperrin Mews, Magherafelt, is accused of the murders of Sappers Mark Quinsey, 23, and 21-year-old Patrick Azimkhar outside Massereene army base on March 7 last year.

The pair are also accused of the attempted murder of five others injured in the attack and possession of the two AKM rifles used by the gunmen.

The court that case was then held-up for the second day in a row, as the accused complained about the prison strip-searching.

Sinn Fein Assembly member for Upper Bann John O'Dowd has said that Sinn Féin have raised concerns over an alleged assault on Lurgan man Colin Duffy in Maghaberry prison with the Justice Minister

"In recent days serious concerns have been raised by Mr Duffys legal team and his family over alleged assaults upon him by prison staff as he was moved from the prison to court.

"As a result of the concerns surrounding the treatment of Mr Duffy we have raised the matter with the Justice Minister," Mr O'Dowd said.

"Anyone being held in prison deserves to be treated with respect and dignity. It is important that the Prison administration now act to ensure that Mr Duffy is being treated properly and that his human rights are being protected.

"The allegation of assaults upon Mr Duffy must be robustly investigated with no hiding place for anyone committing such offences against prisoners who are supposed to be in the care of the prison service."

(BMcC/GK)