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La petizione a sostegno di Torrens Knight non viene dal TUV

Greysteel killer’s petition ‘not TUV’

Jim Allister’s TUV has distanced itself from a petition organised by one of its members in support of Greysteel killer Torrens Knight.

Torrens KnightThe petition calling for the loyalist killer to be released from jail was organised by TUV member Trevor Collins.

It is circulating in the Garvagh area, and Collins told the Daily Mirror it had been signed by “more than 2,000 people”.

On Wednesday, Knight was jailed for four months for attacking two sisters in a Coleraine bar in May 2008.

His lawyers said he will appeal against his conviction for the two assaults and disorderly behaviour.

Knight was granted bail, but was immediately driven back to prison following the hearing because his early release licence was suspended in October.

The Life Sentence Review Commissioners is set to examine the case to decide if the suspension of his licence was justified and if Knight should serve out the remainder of his murder sentences.

The TUV confirmed Mr Collins is a member but made clear that the party did not support his stance.

Traditional Unionist Voice is not promoting this petition”, a TUV spokesman told UTV.

“The stance of TUV is clear, convicted terrorists should never have been released under the Belfast Agreement. If Traditional Unionist Voice had its way all convicted terrorists would be in jail.”

But the spokesman said there were no plans to expel him.

Talking to the Daily Mirror, organiser Trevor Collins said he had mentioned the petition to TUV leader Jim Allister.

“He said he couldn’t be associated with a convicted murderer as he’s against all terrorists in government and he can’t be seen to be supporting one”, Collins said.

“Torrens got himself into trouble because of the situation in Northern Ireland. I’m not agreeing with what he did, but since he’s got out of jail he’s gone straight,” he claimed.

“There are plenty of other boys out there who have done worse and they are not getting sent back”, he added, insisting Knight was “a decent man”.

“I can’t understand why John Dallat has taken such personal umbrage against Torrens”.

‘Disgusting’

East Derry SDLP MLA John Dallat said the petition circulating in the Garvagh area to free the killer was “disgusting in the extreme.”

The MLA has been supporting the two sisters who were assaulted by Knight and has urged the authorities to permanently revoke his early release licence.

“While I note that the TUV have distanced itself from the petition I would have thought that they would throw the organiser, Trevor Collins, out of the party if they really believe so strongly that all early release prisoners should be behind bars. ”

“I am concerned at the highly personal comments of Collins and I will be taking them into account when reviewing my own security.”

Torrens Knight was released in July 2000 under the terms of the Good Friday agreement, whilst serving life sentences for 12 murders.

Eight of his victims were gunned down when killers opened fire on the Rising Sun bar, in the village of Greysteel, near Londonderry, in 1993.

That same year Knight was part of a gang which murdered four Catholic builders in the seaside town of Castlerock.

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René Querin

Di professione grafico e web designer, sono appassionato di trekking e innamorato dell'Irlanda e della sua storia. Insieme ad Andrea Varacalli ho creato e gestisco Les Enfants Terribles.

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