High profile loyalist released on bail

Sinn Féin Assembly member for North Belfast, Kathy Stanton has accused the judiciary in the Six Counties of operating a system of "blatant discrimination". Her comments came as Ihab Shoukri became the latest high-profile loyalist to be granted bail on serious charges.

Just two weeks ago, and despite being caught with a handgun jammed into his sock at the height of the most recent unionist paramilitary feud, UDA leader Andre Shoukri, Ihab's brother, won an appeal against a six-year jail sentence.

Ihab Shoukri has denied murdering Alan McCullough, whose body was found in a shallow grave on the outskirts of North Belfast in June during the recent feud within the Ulster Defence Association.

It was Shoukri's third application since he was charged with murdering the 21-year-old man. The judge said he was granting bail because of delays in obtaining forensic evidence against him.

Commenting on his release, Kathy Stanton said: "In recent months, other prominent loyalists have received suspended sentences or had bail granted without delay. This approach by the judiciary contrasts with the treatment received by nationalists and republicans in particular. John O'Hagan, a constituent of mine, received bail last week after spending 20 months on remand. He was repeatedly refused bail by the courts.

"There is an inherent anti-nationalist bias running through the judiciary in the North. Cases like these underline the very real need for root and branch reform of the entire criminal justice system."