Shoukri Walks Free Again

[Seabird]

LOYALIST PARAMILITARY AGAIN WALKS FREE FROM COURT 03/08/06 07:41 EST

Full Story Here


Top Belfast loyalist paramilitary Ihab Shoukri walked out of
court again today following his successful application not
to have his bail revoked.


A judge ruled he had not broken bail conditions when he was
arrested in a raid on a pub during an alleged dress
rehearsal for an Ulster Defence Association show of strength.


Police had claimed Mr Shoukri (31) had breach his relase
terms by being in the Alexandra Bar in the along with
suspected members of the outlawed organisation.


But after hearing defence arguments that he was downstairs
having a drink while the loyalist gathering took place in a
room above, Judge Tom Burgess decided Mr Shoukri had done
nothing wrong.

Somethings never cease to amaze me. This is shameful.

[bobbysands81]

It's unreal the free ride both him and his brother get.

[Báile Bhuirne Man]

I know sure, how would the Law apply to Loyalists, aren't they "Better" than the rest of us

[Libero]

But after hearing defence arguments that he was downstairs
having a drink while the loyalist gathering took place in a
room above, Judge Tom Burgess decided Mr Shoukri had done
nothing wrong.

That's not quite true, is it? The judge didn't pronounce him innocent, saying he had done nothing wrong. The judge did direct that there wasn't enough evidence to link him to what was going on upstairs.

That's the same rule of law that saw Bryan McNally, a republican, cleared by the Special Criminal Court when he was caught on a farm in Laois under which there was a bomb making factory, also containing rockets, a Bren machine gun and a pistol.

Isn't the rule of law a pain in the ass?

http://archives.tcm.ie/irishexaminer...2/12/ihead.htm
Mr Justice Robert Barr, presiding, said the defence submissions there was no evidence that Cleary, Cully and Mc Nally were aware that Conaty was armed with a loaded semi-automatic pistol, which was found in the waistband of his trousers."
The court also found there was insufficient evidence to establish beyond a reasonable doubt that Cleary, Conaty and Mc Nally who were arrested in the shed, were aware of the underground bunker or its contents.

[duff]

The two a them are probably British agents anyway. Scum.

[Cara]

The two a them are probably British agents anyway. Scum.

Which is probably the reason he's been waiting 4 years for a trial. Convenient for the British to keep him where they want him.

[pluralist]

Somethings never cease to amaze me. This is shameful.

If he shot a cop, you'd probably be telling us how 'shameful' it is that he was in prison at all.

[Cara]

Somethings never cease to amaze me. This is shameful.

If he shot a cop, you'd probably be telling us how 'shameful' it is that he was in prison at all.

He isn't (in prison) I think thats the point.

[Bogwarrior]

But after hearing defence arguments that he was downstairs
having a drink while the loyalist gathering took place in a
room above, Judge Tom Burgess decided Mr Shoukri had done
nothing wrong.

That's not quite true, is it? The judge didn't pronounce him innocent, saying he had done nothing wrong. The judge did direct that there wasn't enough evidence to link him to what was going on upstairs.

That's the same rule of law that saw Bryan McNally, a republican, cleared by the Special Criminal Court when he was caught on a farm in Laois under which there was a bomb making factory, also containing rockets, a Bren machine gun and a pistol.

Isn't the rule of law a pain in the ass?

http://archives.tcm.ie/irishexaminer...2/12/ihead.htm
Mr Justice Robert Barr, presiding, said the defence submissions there was no evidence that Cleary, Cully and Mc Nally were aware that Conaty was armed with a loaded semi-automatic pistol, which was found in the waistband of his trousers."
The court also found there was insufficient evidence to establish beyond a reasonable doubt that Cleary, Conaty and Mc Nally who were arrested in the shed, were aware of the underground bunker or its contents.

To be fair, their release was more to do with their support for the GFA.. You could compare Shoukri's case, to the lads given 5 years for laying a wreath, of the chap who got 4 years based on evidence such as a "Tiocfaidh ar la" logo on his mobile. Some have even been jailed on no evidence. Simply on the opinion of a Garda Superintendent.

[jjacollins]

More than likely said that he'd name his handler if he was sent to prison.