Write a commentNUJ, Acting Secretary Seamus Dooley and South Down MP, Chris Hazzard have both released statements following the arrest on Friday of No Stone Unturned’ Journalists Barry McCaffery and Trevor Birney.
The documentary No Stone Unturned told the story of the 1994 killing of six people in The Heights Bar, Loughinisland.
Speaking of the arrests Seamus Dooley, acting general secretary, National Union of Journalists UK & Ireland, said: “The documentary raises serious questions about the police investigation into Loughinisland and it is deeply worrying that the focus of police attention should be on journalists rather than on the issues raised in the documentary.
"The protection of journalistic sources of confidential information is of vital importance and journalists must be free to operate in the public interest without police interference. These journalists are entitled to claim journalistic privilege and to seek the protection of the legal system if there is any attempt to force them to reveal sources.
"We note the confiscation of computers and data held by Trevor Birney and Barry McCaffrey. Every step must be taken to ensure that data held on computers is not compromised and that the confidentiality of the sources are not put in jeopardy.
"Journalists throughout the UK and Ireland will support Trevor and Barry in any stand they take to lawfully protect their confidential sources. It is profoundly depressing to note that, yet again, priority appears to be given to tracking down the source of journalistic stories rather than solving murders in Northern Ireland.”
A protest was held on Friday outside The Heights Bar and South Down MP Chris Hazzard has thanked those who came out to stand with the Loughinisland families following the arrests.
“The arrests of two leading investigative journalists who helped lift the lid on collusion following the 1994 Loughinisland murders through ‘No Stone Unturned’ has re-opened many wounds for the families of those murdered.
“I want to thank everyone who attended the vigil and stood shoulder to shoulder with the families - those who have fought long and hard to uncover the truth.
“That truth would never have been possible without journalists like Barry and Trevor who acted always with integrity. The thoughts of all of us here in South Down are with them and their families at this difficult time.”
