IRA spy says trial put him in danger
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.A prosecution against one of Britain's chief IRA spies for trying to pervert the course of justice - which failed yesterday with his acquittal - should never have been brought, according to his lawyers.
Martin McGartland, who has lived under the name Martin Ashe for the past six years, was charged after using duplicate driving licences to avoid a driving ban for speeding.
Mr McGartland, 27 and a father-of-two, claimed he was in fear of a terrorist death squad when he used the licences. A jury at Newcastle Crown Court took just 10 minutes to find the author of Fifty Dead Men Walking, which is fast rising up the best-seller lists, not guilty at the end of a five- day trial.
After the trial, the legal firm which represented Mr McGartland issued a statement criticising the moves which brought him to court and exposed him to danger. "It is Mr McGartland's view that the prosecution should never have been brought in light of his services to the public in Northern Ireland," it said. "The prosecution has exposed him to further danger, which his resettlement on the mainland was meant to avoid.
"Mr McGartland believes that the prosecution was brought with total disregard for his own safety and that the Crown showed no insight into the real and imagined dangers encountered by those living in the shadow of the IRA."
The statement added that Mr McGartland will now have to start a new life all over again.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments