Maureen O'Sullivan (Dublin Central, Independent) | Oireachtas source

One year ago today, a Parole Commissioners for Northern Ireland hearing took place over four days. One part of it was an open hearing, during which Tony Taylor was questioned, and then there were two closed material hearings. A month later, the summary was delivered and Tony Taylor and his legal team were told that he would not be released. A core element of the justice system is the right for a person to know the case against him or her. With closed material, the defendant is at a severe disadvantage. A special advocate is appointed by the Parole Commissioners but this special advocate cannot discuss the case with Tony Taylor. That is not the first example of the injustice of the Parole Commissioners hearing. I refer to the case of Martin Corey, whose licence was also revoked. He ended up in jail and eventually got a Parole Commissioners hearing. Four years later, he was released from jail with no charge and no trial. There is also the manner in which Tony Taylor's licence was revoked. He was surrounded by armed personnel in front of his family. One of his children is a child with special physical and mental difficulties. After over 800 days, Tony Taylor is still in jail and there does not appear to be any way in which he can be released unless there is some proper intervention in the interest of justice.

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