McFarlane’s latest legal challenge thrown out

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In the comments to a recent post ‘SlugFest’ asked the not unreasonable question – “Whatever happened with Bic McFarlane’s trial?” Thanks to the Irish Times breaking news we have the answer, it had been delayed by another legal challenge. But no longer..

Maze prison escapee Brendan McFarlane today lost his latest legal challenge to stop his trial over the kidnap of a supermarket boss 25 years ago. In a brief hearing in the Supreme Court, five judges revealed they had reached a unanimous decision to throw out the appeal.

Former IRA prisoner McFarlane, from Jamaica Street, west Belfast, was charged in January 1998 with falsely imprisoning Don Tidey at Derrada Wood, Ballinamore, Co Leitrim, in November and December 1983. He was also charged with possession of a firearm with intent to endanger life and is facing trial in the Special Criminal Court.

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