Mr Downey today
Commenting after a court decision ruling that the prosecution of John Downey was an abuse of process and should not continue, Sinn Féin MP Francie Molloy said: “The arrest and charging by the British police of John Downey was a clear breach of commitments given by the British government at Weston Park and in subsequent negotiations.
“Following the Good Friday Agreement both the British and Irish governments accepted that the issue of those defined as OTRs was an anomaly and the two governments committed to resolve the issue.
“A process was put in place to deal with outstanding cases including that of John Downey. Sinn Féin made it clear from the outset that the decision to prosecute John Downey was the wrong one.
“This position has been vindicated by the decision of the judge ruling in John’s favour. John Downey should now be allowed to return home to his family immediately.
“Sinn Féin will continue to support John and his family until this happens.”
The party said that John Downey is a valued member of Sinn Féin and a long-time advocate of the Peace Process.
For over two decades John Downey has been to the fore in promoting the peace process. As a former republican prisoner he has been involved in Cultural Diversity programmes with former loyalist prisoners. And he participated in engagements at Corrymeela with former members of the RUC, Gárdai and Irish Army.