verdict: life imprisonment.
Having failed to uncover the organisation behind the bombings which have shaken London for nearly two years, the police and the judiciary have found a scapegoat and sent her to the slaughter.
A mentally disturbed woman has bear sacrificed to show how efficient the British police are. What a victory for "British justice!
One thing has not altered right have not presented a single piece of sold evidence to prove that Judith the IRA or ever carried out any bombing Their two best hopes have each in turn been crushed. An expert witness for the defence has testifsed that the explosive tests used by the police are so sensitive that they will detect the residue of nitro-glycerine carried on a shoe that has trodden on explosion debris. And even so, a positive reaction can be given by more than fifteen other substances!
prosecution's case has been Ward's own evidence. They were handic apped from the start by the fact that they could only use a small part of her confessions because the mut wås such patent nonsense. As the trial progressed, however, even what was left appeared increasingly contradictory, and when she came on to the witness stand, the case wait fell apart.
The court heard of her "marriage to TRA officer Michael MeVerry of which no record can be found of her false accusations against prominent Sinn Fein member Brendan Magill, of her 'confession' which not even the prosecution has been able to use TO Barns planted the M62 bomb; and yet it was expected to bellove a story pieced together from odd details mentioned in these elaborate fictIons.
The improbability of her final version was implicitly acknowledged by the British Government on 23 October, the day that Marlene Coyle (whom the Crown claims was one of the Teal bombers") was Treed by a Dublin court. Considering that this is supposed to be the "gravest charge, short of treason, that has ever heen known', the COVETICAL HIT CASE SLe caked for her extradition!
that the jury were not allowed fo take into account. The real suhstance of this trial was the one thing that could never be mentioned in court - the situation in Ireland and the fear of the British Governmont that it is being forced into an intolerable situation by the growing demand in Britain for the withdrawal of the army.
The reaction to this has been an outburst of hysterical propaganda - much of it aimed against the International Marsist Group designed to split the growing movement against the British presence in Ireland. There Ward ever had any connection with has been endiess speculation about the role of left-wing groups in bombings in Britain. All of this provides a useful wedge to drive between the revolutionary left and the prowing numbers inside the labour movement who are bopnning to understand the real meaning of British rule in Irelind.
In this situation, the trial of Judith Ward poses forcefully the question of solidarity. The Provis from her, presumably because of the countless false statements she has made incriminating them. But the context of the trial shows that this is not just a matter of the crucifixion of an isolated individual. The state intends lo strike through her at the groups it wishes to silence.
In previous issues we have discussed the systematic harass ment of Sinn Fein in Britain Wc are now beginning to see how this campaien will extend, moving first against weak and isolated groups of even individuals - like Judith Ward gather strength and confidence for further attacks. For this must demand an end to judicial farces like that at Wakefield. while recognising that the conditions that make them possibie will only end with the ending of British rule in Ireland.
in order la ivated, Fair Rent Act. for distributing a icaflet to soldiers.
A picket has also bean planned Signing from the Parts.
The Sccretary of South Shields Trades Council, Bernard Appleton, had his face slashed by a man with a razor in a back lane in South Shields last Sunday night.
This attack follows about 100 phone calls threatening Bernard and his Tamily. The President of South Shields Trades Council, Jim Rowson, has commented:
"This appears to be a disgracelul piece of political thuppery, which makes life in South Shields nastier than before'. He said he believed the attack could he politically molThis attack in South Shields follows the humiliating defeat that the National Front suffered there in the general election, when their vote dropped from almost 2,000 to a pathetic 700, This was mainly due to the activities of the local anti-fascist committee, which the Trades Council supported. The history of the threats to Bro. Appleton goes back to the tune of the fight against the Tories' Bernard Appleton after the atlack The Trades Couneil fought bitterly against the implementation of the but the batal Clour coune. like all the others in the country except Clay Cross, capitulated and implemented the Act is a rosult, relations between the Trades Connell and the right wing of the local Labour Party hermine catericly hostile, with some trades Council memhers resOne of the leading right wingers in the Labour Party was Harry Donkin, a Tonnur councillor. Donkin was involved in an incident in the lahour Party: rooms with member of the Trades Couneil, Including Appleton, over the us: of a duplicator for Trades Council leallets. Donkin attemptod to order the Trades Council members out of the Labor cons nespie a Fact tha many of thei were Labour Party MOTEES After statements wro made at the next mocling of the Trades Council blacking Donkin's actions, Dunkin issued writs against members of the Trades Couneil, and against the Noo castle Joumal, which reported thic meeting. The writs were never brought to court, Donsin has since less the bacon Party and found his real political Bone the Natiocal Front. Al the count in South Shields on pascral election night, Appleton was Mezued on by members of th: Front. Donkin was seon to poin! DUE EPICO BE BITEN SEE BEORE i appen was mama cy a nameer of people, including Tories and Liberah, to be careful as the front were planning soicthing against tom Appletor had to leave the count in the company of a mambor of his friends tor protection.
Donkia is a Justice of the Peace and sirs on the mapistrates bonch in South Sbields. The local anti fascist carbitter i planning to picker thie courts when Bankin& sitting They will be demanding his remoral organisation. They will be asking whether a Tale hearing frum Donkin when he is a thember of an organisation that las a racist policy of repatriation of col bored inmigrants Toy will also he asking whut sort of hearing fascises was attack trade unionists will enjor.
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PATENT NONSENSE The other main prop of the