Acquittal on Murder & Arson Charges in Armagh Case involving Four Brothers

Criminal Defence Services

Harte Coyle Collins, Solicitors & Solicitor Advocates, represent Niall Smith who was charged with his 3 brothers Martin, Stephen and Christopher Smith, with the murders of Thomas O Hare and Lisa McClatchey on 6th November 2006 at Clady Road, Armagh, and with the arson of Thomas O Hare’s property at the same address on the same date. Niall Smith was represented by the HCC defence team comprising Patricia Coyle and Diarmaid Kelly, solicitors and defence counsel Ms Karen Quinlivan Q.C., S.C. and Mr Mark McGarrity BL.

Lawyers Challenge Parole Commissioner Refusal to Hold Oral Hearing

Parole Commissioners

Harte Coyle Collins, Solicitors & Solicitor Advocates today obtained leave from the High Court in Belfast to challenge a decision made by the Chief Parole Commissioner to deny a client in custody at Maghaberry prison an oral hearing. The refusal by te Chief Parole Commissioner was made in circumstances where additional informaiton was available from the Probation Board which may have beneffited the prisoner. The Chief Parole Commissioner’s decision to deny the client an oral hearing before a 3 member panel of the Parole Commissioners interfered with the client’s liberty.

Unlawful Parade Charge Dismissed Against Protest Lawyer Barbara Muldoon

Criminal Defence Cases

Barbara Muldoon, an Apprentice Solicitor specialising in Immigration Law, was acquitted today when a charge of participation in an unlawful parade was dismissed against her at Belfast Magistrates’ Court. Ms Muldoon was charged with participation in an unlawful parade alleged to have taken place on the 22nd October 2013 at Bedford Street when BNP leader Nick Griffin atended the BBC in Belfast. A number of similar anti-BNP protests took place in other locations in the UK including London on the same date objecting to the decison to invite Nick Griffin to the BBC.

Harte Coyle Collins Defend Protest Lawyer Barbara Muldoon

Latest News

Harte Coyle Collins, Solicitors & Solicitor Advocates represent trade unionist, socialist and immigration lawyer Barbara Muldoon. Ms Muldoon, an anti-racism campaigner, faces criminal charges for taking part in an ANR protest in 2009. Campaigners say the charges are an attack on the right to peaceful protest in Northern Ireland and urge the Director of Public Prosecution to drop them immediately. A range of groups and individuals, including well known human rights advocates, trade union leaders, academics and campaigners are calling on the Director of the Public Prosecution Service to withdraw a criminal charge against anti-racism campaigner Barbara Muldoon for her involvement at a protest which took place in Belfast on 22 October 2009.

Murder Conviction Quashed for Liam Holden, the Last Man to receive Death Penalty in UK

Legacy Cases

The last man to receive the death penalty in the UK in 1973 had a conviction for murder quashed at the Northern Ireland Court of Criminal Appeal on the 21st June 2013. Liam Holden, originally from the Whiterock area of Belfast, was convicted of the murder of a British soldier in September 1972 after a jury trial in April 1973 during which the prosecution relied solely upon alleged confession evidence.