THE TRIAL of a London-based man accused of being a member of the Provisional IRA has collapsed.
Martin Edward Morris was due to stand trial at Belfast Crown Court yesterday (Monday) to face a charge of professing to be a member of the paramilitary organisation between August 1, 1997, and June 30, 2000.
But a judge recorded a finding of not guilty against the 49-year-old, of London’s Wellbeck Road, after a prosecution lawyer told the court that no evidence would be offered against him.
The court heard that the only evidence against Mr Morris was testimony from a woman who claimed he told her he was a member of the Provisional IRA.
Prosecutors had applied for the witness to be allowed to give evidence in the trial via video link because she was “in fear” of testifying in open court.
In a statement to police, she claimed that Mr Morris had “glared” at her during a previous court hearing last December.
But Mr Morris’ defence lawyer objected to the application on the grounds of lateness and that it was prejudicial to the defendant.
After consultations with the Public Prosecution Service, a prosecution lawyer later returned to the court to state that no evidence was now being offered against Mr Morris, who previously lived on the Falls Road in west Belfast.
