Information Sought Over Lillis Release

The controversial re-release on licence of a republican from prison in the North has continued to make the news this week.

DUP MLA Paul Givan yesterday met with the Chief Parole Commissioner to discuss the circumstances surrounding the release of Brendan Lillis.

After the meeting Mr Givan said that the Justice Minister must publish any representations made by the Department of Justice to the Commissioners in relation to the case.

Mr Givan said: "At the beginning of August the Justice Minister outlined the only two reasons for a compassionate release which are terminal illness and the inability to meet medical needs in prison.

"Neither of those two issues relate to Mr Lillis' case, and the Parole Commission made it clear that the decision to release Brendan Lillis was made on the perceived risk to the public.

"David Ford throughout the case has stressed that he relies on the decision of the Parole Commissioners yet that decision is shaped by representations, including from the Department of Justice," said the DUP MLA.

"The only two sources any representation to the Commission can come from are the Department of Justice and prisoner in question. Evidence from third party sources, including the Department of Health are not admissible.

"This is particularly important in this case as it appears to be based on Mr Lillis' health condition and the impact this has on any threat to the public. "

He also said that the Justice Minister - David Ford - must now inform the public of exactly what representations were made to the Parole Commissioners in relation to this case.

"If Mr Ford and his Department now believe that the medical circumstances have changed then they must state this clearly, and what advice did they receive from the Department of Health, if any.

"This is an issue of important public interest yet the Parole Commissioners are unable to make public full details of their decision.

"I will be taking this issue up directly with the Justice Minister and I believe he should move swiftly to amend the legislation and reflect the situation in other jurisdictions," he said.

Last week, the Justice Minister was forced to defend the controversial decision by the Parole Commissioners to free the republican prisoner.

It came after considerable pressure was exerted over the matter by senior Sinn Fein politicians, including the Deputy First Minister, Martin McGuinness and the man's local MP, with the bid for the robbery suspect's freedom on compassionate ground refused up to now.

The Alliance party Leader and Executive Minister David Ford countered criticism of the man being freed after a virtual 'U-turn' by claiming that Brendan Lillis could "still stand trial if his health improved".

See: Re-Arrested Prisoner Freed On Licence

(BMcC/GK)