20 August 1998 Edition
Freed men to sue
The three West Belfast men freed from jail after the murder case against them collapsed may sue the RUC for malicious prosecution. Samuel Baker, Sean Valente and William Groves had been held in jail since last February charged with the murder of loyalist Bobbie Dougan outside his Dunmurray shop.
From the outset it was suspected that the arrests were a ploy by the RUC to have Sinn Fein ejected from the multi party talks. The RUC Chief Ronnie Flanagan claimed the arrest of the three men substantiated the RUC's allegation that the killing had been carried out by the IRA. Despite the fact that there was no evidence to connecte the three men with the Dougan shooting, Mo Mowlam accepted the RUC Chief's allegation as the basis to exclude Sinn Fein from the talks process.
Solicitors acting on behalf of the three men have been instructed to consider legal action for malicious prosecution. One of the three, Samuel Baker is also considering legal action after he was assaulted by the RUC in Castlereagh Interrogation Centre.
From the outset it was suspected that the arrests were a ploy by the RUC to have Sinn Fein ejected from the multi party talks. The RUC Chief Ronnie Flanagan claimed the arrest of the three men substantiated the RUC's allegation that the killing had been carried out by the IRA. Despite the fact that there was no evidence to connecte the three men with the Dougan shooting, Mo Mowlam accepted the RUC Chief's allegation as the basis to exclude Sinn Fein from the talks process.
Solicitors acting on behalf of the three men have been instructed to consider legal action for malicious prosecution. One of the three, Samuel Baker is also considering legal action after he was assaulted by the RUC in Castlereagh Interrogation Centre.