Investigatory Powers Tribunal hearings commence
Day 1 of the hearing over claims "No Stone Unturned" journalists Barry McCaffrey and Trevor Birney were unlawfully monitored using covert surveillance.
Séamus Dooley, NUJ Irish secretary, said:
“Today’s revelations were deeply disturbing. NUJ member Barry McCaffrey was the subject of sustained surveillance over a much longer period than we could have imagined. No matter how dark and murky we had suspected the behaviour of the authorities, today’s brief hearing has confirmed a far more egregious breaches of process.
“The NUJ’s fears about abuse of investigatory powers have been proven to be fully justified, even before the substantive hearing. At the heart of this case is the right of journalists to operate in a democratic society. Source protection cannot be guaranteed when due process is ignored. If those responsible for the rule of law cannot be trusted they certainly should not be given special powers, in the name of security. We welcome the fact that hearings will be in public, and that the truth will emerge in open court."
BBC: ourt case on alleged PSNI spying branded 'a shambles'
Natasha Hirst, NUJ president, Barry McCaffrey, Grahame Morris MP, co-chair of the NUJ Parliamentary Group, and John Finucane MP
Natasha Hirst and Barry McCaffrey
Tim Dawson, IFJ deputy general secretary and Natasha Hirst
Grahame Morris MP and Natasha Hirst
Solidarity with Barry McCaffrey and Trevor Birney
Solidarity with Barry McCaffrey and Trevor Birney
Barry McCaffrey, Grahame Morris MP and Trevor Birney