Shackleton barracks in Ballykelly where the ‘Hooded Men’ were held and tortured in 1971
SECRETARY of State Theresa Villers has been accused of withholding sensitive information in the case of a group known as the ‘Hooded Men’ who were tortured at a Co Derry British Army base over four decades ago.
Their lawyers claim Theresa Villiers has withheld information on briefings given to government ministers before the men were interrogated.
A lawyer representing the British Government and Ms Villiers – who threw Tony Taylor back in jail last month – said it believed it has disclosed all relevant documents.
The men were interrogated by the British Army in 1971 at Shackleton Barracks, Ballykelly in Co Derry.
They say that during their interrogation they were tortured.
The men now want to know what ministers were told in advance about their interrogation.
They have said they were subjected to prolonged torture, and that their treatment was sanctioned by the government.
The group of men say they were hooded, forced to listen to constant loud static noise, deprived of sleep, food and water, forced to stand in a stress position, and beaten if they fell.
The group are taking legal action to challenge the failure of the police, Secretary of State Theresa Villiers, and the justice minister to investigate their allegations.
Lawyers acting for the group have accused Ms Villiers of withholding documents needed for their legal challenge.
At a court hearing in Belfast on Wednesday, a lawyer representing the secretary of state said the government believes it has disclosed all of the documents relevant to the case.
But a solicitor acting for the men diputed this.
Darragh Mackin said information provided by Ms Villiers made it clear that some documents about briefings ministers were given before the interrogations took place had not been disclosed to their legal team.
“The applicants in this case view this material as extremely relevant,” he told the court.
High Court judge Mr Justice Maguire urged both sides to try to resolve the dispute, and warned that he would adjudicate if they could not do so.
The legal team representing the group of men have been given two weeks to write to the secretary of state setting out what material they say has not been disclosed.
But they will be back in court if they are not happy to seek an order instructing the Ms Villiers to hand the material over.
Tags: