Daily Mirror (Northern Ireland)
Stone in bid to stop medical records from being revealed
Legal case over decision to free killer
NOTORIOUS killer Michael Stone is set to resist any disclosure of his medical records for a legal challenge to his release from jail.
Counsel for the Milltown Cemetery bomber told the High Court yesterday the evidence should remain private.
The loyalist had been imprisoned for waging a sectarian murder campaign expected to keep him behind bars until 2024.
But last month the 65-year-old former UDA man was freed on parole from Maghaberry.
The sister of one of his victims is now seeking an urgent judicial review into the lawfulness of that decision. Deborah Mcguinness’ brother Thomas Mcerlean was among three mourners Stone murdered in a grenade attack on an IRA funeral at Milltown in West Belfast in 1988.
Her lawyers claim a failure to provide information about parole hearings and to allow bereaved relatives to take part in those proceedings.
As part of the case Northern Ireland’s Parole Commissioners were ordered to disclose reasons for the decision to release Stone. Mr
Justice Colton was told yesterday that a heavily redacted summary has now been provided. However, Ronan Lavery QC, representing Ms Mcguinness, said a dossier of material still cannot be examined. Citing the principle of open justice, he confirmed: “We want to see exactly what is the medical evidence which seems such a crucial part of this case.”
According to previous reports, the former loyalist paramilitary now suffers from a myriad of health conditions. Counsel for Stone indicated his opposition to further disclosure on human rights grounds. Hugh Southey QC said: “From my client’s point of view the medical evidence is of some importance and he’s entitled to privacy in relation to that.”
Adjourning the case for four weeks, the judge added a hearing date will be listed at that stage.
Stone, who was also the gunman in three other killings, had previously been freed on licence in 2000. Six years later he was returned to jail after launching an infamous attempt to murder Sinn Fein leaders Gerry Adams and Martin Mcguinness when he entered Stormont armed with explosives, knives and an axe.
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