18 February 1999 Edition
Back issue: Special category status for Special Air Services
Two SAS killers were accorded special category treatment when they (presumably) appeared in Ballymena Magistrates' Court on February 6th. In an unprecedented move seven unidentified men in plain clothes appeared in the dock. Charges against Alan Bohan and Ronald Tempedley of murder of Dunloy youth John Boyle were read out, but the two weren't identified and none of the seven answered.
The two SAS men were granted £2,000 personal bail, and remained in military custody. When the Magistrate finished the court proceedings all seven rose and left the court by a side entrance. Journalists were extremely angry and asked court officals and detectives to identify Bohan and Tempedley. They refused. A heated argument broke out with the pressmen pointing out that the hearing lacked all credibility, the defendants weren't identified and in fact may actually have not been in court.
There was no actual proof that two SAS men had been charged at all. The courtroom was eventually cleared whilst protesting journalists shouted ``Sham'', ``Travesty of Justice'' and ``disgusting'', as they stormed out.
The two SAS men were granted £2,000 personal bail, and remained in military custody. When the Magistrate finished the court proceedings all seven rose and left the court by a side entrance. Journalists were extremely angry and asked court officals and detectives to identify Bohan and Tempedley. They refused. A heated argument broke out with the pressmen pointing out that the hearing lacked all credibility, the defendants weren't identified and in fact may actually have not been in court.
There was no actual proof that two SAS men had been charged at all. The courtroom was eventually cleared whilst protesting journalists shouted ``Sham'', ``Travesty of Justice'' and ``disgusting'', as they stormed out.