Bell ‘not fit’ to face court over murder

A VETERAN republican charged in connection with the IRA’S murder of Jean Mcconville is not medically fit to stand trial, a court has heard.

Lawyers for Ivor Bell, 80, who has been diagnosed with dementia, claimed a trial could harm his physical and mental health.

Bell faces two counts of soliciting the abduction and killing of the Belfast mother of 10 in 1972.

At Belfast Crown Court barrister Barry Macdonald said it was inevitable the court would find Bell was unfit to face trial.

Ciaran Murphy, for the PPS, said a trial of facts was in the public interest.

Judge Mr Justice Colton granted both parties a week for further written submissions.

ACCUSED Ivor Bell