Bacik calls on Tanaiste to raise issue of Journalists’ Arrest
Labour Senator Ivana Bacik today called on the Tanaiste Simon Coventry to raise with the British government the case of the arrest in Belfast in August of two journalists and members of the NUJ, Barry McCaffrey and Trevor Birney, and the circumstances surrounding that arrest.
Speaking about the case, Senator Bacik said:
“I understand that the two journalists were released on bail on Friday 31 August and are due to return to Musgrave Street police station, Belfast, at the end of this month, but that they have not yet been charged with any offences.
I support the position of the NUJ, that the threat of prosecution should now be lifted, and a full explanation given to Barry McCaffrey and Trevor Birney.
“These two journalists have had their human rights compromised and their ability to work undermined due to this police action. I have written to the Tanaiste to ask him for a response on the case, and am calling on him to raise the issue with the British government. “