Solicitor for Marian Price appeals to PPS
A solicitor for a prominent female republican said to be too ill to appear in court, has urged the Public Prosecution Service (PPS) to consider whether it is in the public interest to pursue her case.
Marian Price, who is named on court papers as Marian McGlinchey, is charged with aiding and abetting a meeting in Derry in support of the IRA. The charges relate to an annual dissident republican commemoration in the City Cemetery on April 25, last year.
Three co-accused, 60-year-old Marvin Canning, of Galliagh Park, 42-year-old Patrick John McDaid, of Beechwood Avenue and 30-year-old Frank Quigley, of Elmwood Road, are jointly charged with managing a meeting in support of the IRA on the same date.
They have been returned for trial and will appear at Belfast Crown Court for arraignment at a later date.
Peter Corrigan, defence solicitor for 58-year-old Price, said his client had not been produced for the hearing on Wednesday because she is too ill. He said that she is unable to give instructions to her legal team and her physical and mental health has continued to deteriorate.
Derry Magistrate’s Court today heard the District Judge Barney McElholm has the power to conduct a preliminary enquiry in the hospital where Price is currently a patient.
However, Mr Corrigan asked the court and the PPS to ‘take a view’ in relation to the prosecution of Price.
He asked: “How could it be in the public interest to prosecute a very ill woman”.
The solicitor raised concerns about the 58-year-old being examined by experts for the PPS and defence and claimed she has been examined by 16 doctors already.
Price’s case was adjourned for four weeks and a decision will be taken about how the hearing will proceed on December 19.
