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Journalist wins battle complete Real ira sources
22/07/2009
"I think Judge Burgess has gone further than any other judge in recognising the confidentiality of sources, in terms of respecting journalism and it couldn't have been better. "This is an absolute landmark decision that hopefully will set a precedent. ...
"I think Judge Burgess has gone further than any other judge in recognising the confidentiality of sources, in terms of respecting journalism and it couldn't have been better. "This is an absolute landmark decision that hopefully will set a precedent. "I would like to think that no other journalist would find themselves hauled before the courts like I have found myself, that no other journalist will potentially face five years in prison." "Obviously I have found myself under immense stress but I had great faith in the legal arguments that were put forward by the legal team. "They couldn't have fought a better case. "This action by the police should never have been taken, it was a complete waste of time, resources and of taxpayers' money." "It is continuing." "There is nothing in the public statements of the Police Service of Northern Ireland to contradict the view that the dissident republicans are with us for some time to come." He added . A belfast journalist today won the right to withhold material touching to the Real ira from the land, on press freedom in a landmark ruling . A Northern ireland judge ruled that Suzanne Breen's animation would be at risk whether she handed over audience nots and early data connected to an interview she carried with the Real ira after it killed 2 British soldiers in March. Breen faced up to to 5 years in jail if the judge had found in the PSNI's favour. Speaking outside the court, Breen said: "This is a landmark case decision. During the case Breen disclosed that a source near to the republican dissident group had published a warning that she might be killed if she co-operated in the PSNI investigation. The IMC reported in May this year that the Real ira remained a murderous and ruthless organisation. She said : "I couldn't be happier with the decision," . In his ruling burgess focused on the potential threat to the journalist's life and that of her family whether she had co-operated with the PSNI inquiry into the double murder at Massereene Barracks in March. The the end few month had been stressful for her and her family said reporter . The National North of journalists has described the decision as "a victory for journalism and for civil liberties". He said there was a potential threat to the lives of Breen and her family "because the risk is not just real and immediate. Jeremy Dear the unification General secretary said: "The PSNI has failed on this occasion, despite tactics aimed at intimidating the media. He rejected police argument that there was no immediate threat to the journalist, stating it was obvious that such a risk would totally go real if the data was relinquished. The judge referred to the latest report by the body overseing the paramilitary ceasefires, the Independent monitoring charge, as evidence in his decision. "This is not only from the point of view of Suzanne Breen and the Sunday Tribune but also journalists throughout Northern Ireland, the Republic of Ireland and indeed the United Kingdom. He said it would be "close to inconceivable as to how she, and potentially her family, could be protected for what could well be many years to come". "This is a landmark judgment," he said. The Sunday tribune's Northern ireland correspondent had refused to hand over over the information argument that to do so would violate journalistic confidentiality and put her and her family's lives at risk. Ms Breen described it as a landmark ruling. • To contact the MediaGuardian news desk email editor@mediaguardian .co .uk or phone 20 3,353 3,857. For all early inquiries please call the main Guardian switchboard on 20 3,353 2,000.
"I think Judge Burgess has gone further than any other judge in recognising the confidentiality of sources, in terms of respecting journalism and it couldn't have been better. "This is an absolute landmark decision that hopefully will set a precedent. "I would like to think that no other journalist would find themselves hauled before the courts like I have found myself, that no other journalist will potentially face five years in prison." "Obviously I have found myself under immense stress but I had great faith in the legal arguments that were put forward by the legal team. "They couldn't have fought a better case. "This action by the police should never have been taken, it was a complete waste of time, resources and of taxpayers' money." "It is continuing." "There is nothing in the public statements of the Police Service of Northern Ireland to contradict the view that the dissident republicans are with us for some time to come." He added . A belfast journalist today won the right to withhold material touching to the Real ira from the land, on press freedom in a landmark ruling . A Northern ireland judge ruled that Suzanne Breen's animation would be at risk whether she handed over audience nots and early data connected to an interview she carried with the Real ira after it killed 2 British soldiers in March. Breen faced up to to 5 years in jail if the judge had found in the PSNI's favour. Speaking outside the court, Breen said: "This is a landmark case decision. During the case Breen disclosed that a source near to the republican dissident group had published a warning that she might be killed if she co-operated in the PSNI investigation. The IMC reported in May this year that the Real ira remained a murderous and ruthless organisation. She said : "I couldn't be happier with the decision," . In his ruling burgess focused on the potential threat to the journalist's life and that of her family whether she had co-operated with the PSNI inquiry into the double murder at Massereene Barracks in March. The the end few month had been stressful for her and her family said reporter . The National North of journalists has described the decision as "a victory for journalism and for civil liberties". He said there was a potential threat to the lives of Breen and her family "because the risk is not just real and immediate. Jeremy Dear the unification General secretary said: "The PSNI has failed on this occasion, despite tactics aimed at intimidating the media. He rejected police argument that there was no immediate threat to the journalist, stating it was obvious that such a risk would totally go real if the data was relinquished. The judge referred to the latest report by the body overseing the paramilitary ceasefires, the Independent monitoring charge, as evidence in his decision. "This is not only from the point of view of Suzanne Breen and the Sunday Tribune but also journalists throughout Northern Ireland, the Republic of Ireland and indeed the United Kingdom. He said it would be "close to inconceivable as to how she, and potentially her family, could be protected for what could well be many years to come". "This is a landmark judgment," he said. The Sunday tribune's Northern ireland correspondent had refused to hand over over the information argument that to do so would violate journalistic confidentiality and put her and her family's lives at risk. Ms Breen described it as a landmark ruling. • To contact the MediaGuardian news desk email editor@mediaguardian .co .uk or phone 20 3,353 3,857. For all early inquiries please call the main Guardian switchboard on 20 3,353 2,000.