Sharon Jordan's Application
| Jurisdiction | Northern Ireland |
| Judge | Colton J |
| Judgment Date | 29 September 2023 |
| Neutral Citation | [2023] NIKB 95 |
| Court | King's Bench Division (Northern Ireland) |
1
Neutral Citation No: [2023] NIKB 95
Judgment: approved by the court for handing down
(subject to editorial corrections)*
Ref: COL12274
ICOS No: 20/55613/09
Delivered: 29/09/2023
IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUSTICE IN NORTHERN IRELAND
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KING’S BENCH DIVISION
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IN THE MATTER OF AN APPLICATION BY SHARON JORDAN,
AN APPLICANT FOR BAIL
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Mr J Brolly (instructed by Phoenix Law, Solicitors) for the Applicant
Ms N Pinkerton (instructed by the PPS) for the Prosecution
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COLTON J
Introduction
[1] This application brings into sharp focus the potential conflict between the
court’s obligation to protect the public and the requirement of the courts to ensure
that a citizen’s right to liberty is properly protected.
[2] The applicant was arrested in August 2020. She has now been in custody for
over three years, something which may well continue for a significant period of
time. That this is so, must be of grave concern to the courts. By this application she
seeks to be released from custody on bail. The length of time that she has served in
custody, which is continuing, demands that the necessity of her continued detention
must be subject to intense scrutiny by this court.
Background circumstances
[3] The applicant is charged with a series of serious offences relating to acts
contrary to the Terrorism Act 2000, associated with a group who style themselves as
the “New IRA”. She faces seven counts in total as follows:
(i) Directing a terrorist organisation.
(ii) Belonging to a proscribed organisation.
(iii) Possession of an article for a terrorist purpose.
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