TUV Leader Jim Alliister MLA QC, Mid Ulster Chairman Walter Millar and Upperlands TUV representative Noel Stewart have been asked by June and the Proctor family circle to respond to the statement issued by Sinn/Fein MLA Ian Milne on the conviction and life sentence given to Seamus Martin Kearney for the murder of RUC reserve Constable John Proctor in September 1981 in the grounds of Magherafelt Hospital when he was visiting his wife and new born son.
“While the family were delighted with the conviction and life sentence given to Seamus Kearney they have been insulted and angered by the remarks of Sinn Fein MLA Ian Milne who called the prosecution “vindictive ,unnecessary and counterproductive .”
“At the time of Mr Kearneys arrest in 2010 Ian Milne said the case was weak, would go nowhere and was a waste of public money. Last week’s verdict proved Ian Milne wrong.
“The contempt of Milne and his party for the rule of law and judicial process which this case has displayed shows that Sinn Fein is not committed to supporting the courts and the rule of law.
“This conviction showed the folly of the Attorney General’s hurtful comments. If there was an end to all pre 1998 investigations the Proctor family would not have had their day in court and seen justice done.
“While welcoming the life sentence the family circle believed – as should all law abiding people – that it was a travesty of Justice that under the terms of the Belfast Agreement Seamus Kearney will only spend a maximum of 2 years in prison for this vile and terrible crime.
“The Agreement was wrong in 1998 and is still wrong in 2013.”
Walter Millar (TUV Mid Ulster Chairman), Noel Stewart (TUV Upperlands representative) and Jim Allister