Earl open to options for lough future
»»SDLP leader hails decision ‘as right one’
Earl of Shaftesbury
THE Earl who owns part of Lough Neagh said yesterday he is “open to exploring options for future ownership” of the lake.
The Earl of Shaftesbury, who owns the lake bed and soil of the lough, said he was committed to finding a “comprehensive, longterm solution” for the lough amid continuing environmental concerns.
Nicholas Ashley-cooper met with Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs Minister Andrew Muir .
The earl said: “During our meeting, we discussed our shared concerns regarding the current environmental challenges facing Lough Neagh.
“I expressed my firm commitment to collaborate with his team.”
SDLP leader Colum Eastwood will not be prosecuted for walking with the Bloody Sunday families to court last year.
This was a matter that should never have troubled the PPS CIARAN SHIELS
The Public Prosecution Service in Northern Ireland has said that seven people who took part in the walk on August 25 will not be prosecuted for taking part in an unnotified procession.
Mr Eastwood, the Foyle MP, joined the Bloody Sunday families on the march to Bishop Street court in Derry for a hearing in relation to the prosecution of Soldier F.
However, after a complaint by loyalist activist Jamie Bryson, police investigated and a file was sent to the PPS.
At issue was whether the event fell under legislation in Northern Ireland that requires organisers of public processions to give advance notice Parades Commission.
It is an offence to organise or participate in an unnotified parade or related protest.
The PPS said after “careful consideration of all evidence submitted by police and the full context in which the procession took place, decisions were taken not to prosecute on public interest grounds”.
The PPS said the procession involved a small number of people, it was peaceful and caused no public disorder, there was no inconvenience to traffic or the public and no complaints from members of the community.
A PPS spokeswoman said: “It was considered the conduct of the reported individuals did amount to participation in a public procession and their procession had not been subject to the legal
to the notification required.
“Each case reported by police is considered carefully, taking into account the specific facts and circumstances of the alleged offending.
“These decisions are therefore fact-specific and no indication of a general policy position in relation to the prosecution of unnotified processions or parades.”
Mr Eastwood said: “The PPS decision today is the right one. Families who walked to court together and were joined by their representatives should not have been put through this ordeal on top of 50 years of injustice.
“I am glad that common sense has at last prevailed. This entire process has added more hurt to families who have endured decades of pain.”
Ciaran Shiels from the Madden & Finucane legal firm, represents a number of the Bloody Sunday families.
He said: “This was a matter that never should have troubled the PPS, who have genuine and serious criminal cases that require to be progressed through the courts.”
Mr Bryson said the PPS decision was “extraordinary”.
He said: “The PPS have held the law was broken, and the evidential test was met, but then have bent themselves into all sorts of intellectual shapes to justify not prosecuting in the public interest.”