The following is a press release from solicitors representing Sunday World Journalist Trish Devlin.
KRW LAW LLP (KRW) represents journalist Patricia Devlin.
In October 2019, our client, an award-winning crime reporter working for the Sunday World newspaper, received a threat by direct message to her personal Facebook account. The sender threatened to rape her newborn son. It was signed with the name of a neo-Nazi terror group, Combat 18, which in the past has had links to Loyalist paramilitaries.
Since then the PSNI has failed to progress its investigation into who posted the threat, to liaise with Police Scotland where the alleged offender is apparently living or to inform Ms Devlin of developments in the investigation.
This failure by the PSNI to discharge its duties toward Ms Devlin and her son is a breach of human rights secured by way of the European Convention on Human Rights regarding right to life, the prohibition against torture and the right to a secure and safe private life.
Today KRW has issued a pre-action protocol letter on behalf of Patricia Devlin to the PSNI putting the Chief Constable on notice that unless assurances are provided legal proceedings by way of judicial review will be applied for.
Ms Devlin seeks assurances that the PSNI will immediately investigate these violent threats and keep her informed of progress and that her family are safe. Should the PSNI be not be able to, or decide not to, provide such assurances then Ms Devlin will apply to issue proceedings in the High Court for a judicial review of the decision of the PSNI.
Kevin Winters, Solicitor and Senior Partner, KRW said:
“The violent threat to our client and her baby son posted by social media must be subject to an immediate effective investigation by the PSNI. No progress appears to have been made since Patricia Devlin reported the threat and the PSNI have been inadequate in its responsibilities toward her and her family in terms of securing their safety and keeping them informed of progress. Judicial Review will be applied for should the assurance requested by our client be not forthcoming.”
Ms Devlin and her family are being supported by Amnesty International.
Patrick Corrigan, Northern Ireland Programme Director of Amnesty International UK, said:
“It is incredible that Patricia Devlin is having to resort to legal action to ensure a proper investigation by the PSNI into threats against her and her family. Amnesty International stands by her and other journalists in Northern Ireland who face a rising climate of threat and intimidation.”
Seamus Dooley, NUJ Assistant General-Secretary, said:
“It is regrettable that a journalist should be forced to consider taking legal action to secure police action. The union remains concerned about the apparent lack of action in this case, which has broader implications in Northern Ireland. No one should be allowed to threaten journalists with impunity.”
A response from the PSNI is required by 10 December 2020.
An attack on a journalist is an attack on journalism.
And that, dear reader, is an attack on democracy.
Ms Devlin and I are members of the same NUJ branch and she knows that we all have her back on this.
Developing story.
The PSNI’s (in)actions in this case are sadly not unique, compare the death of Noah Donohoe:
https://twitter.com/MarymoBelfast/status/1315327789004881923?s=09
Since that posting his mother has found out publicly that the PSNI have recovered some of his clothing and didn’t inform his mother.
I’m sure people were prepared to give them the benefit of the doubt that they’re not the RUC but the evidence suggests otherwise.
I can’t wait to hear what the PSNI use for an excuse because I can’t think of a single one. I’m sure they will have several though. HH
The saddest thing is that this fkd up gang of neanderthals probably do not realise that they are doing any wrong.
Their institutionalised bigotry is so inherent in their being that they feel immune from any blame, and indeed feel absolutely justified in both their actions and inactions.
I shake my head in wonder.
They’re just the RUC in a new uniform.
Phil,I truely hope that those cowards are all up in front of a judge;a judge that will jail them all for the longest term possible,these peepul(C-18) are original scum and should be treated as such.
I’m having trouble keeping the language as such that you would permit my comment,but these types need locking up,keeping them off the streets, thus enabling everyday people to go about their business in a safe and peaceful manner.
You hold your NUJ card dearly,and rightly so,if you have a hand in this in anyway at all,well,I know you’d see them locked up for as long as possible too.Though for me though,it still wouldn’t be enough because one day their sentences will be up and their back in society spilling their bile and threatening other defenceless folk.
Disgusting that it takes threats to make PSNI do their jobs,not a surprise though,no better than the polis in Scotland.
Thank you for relevant and factual reporting,it’s a rarity these days,esp.in Scotland,the sports pages anyway.🍻
Scandalous this bigotry is still going on in 2020.