Gary Donnelly (Irish republican)

Gary Donnelly is an Irish republican, former Real Irish Republican Army (Real IRA) prisoner, and as of May 24, 2014, an elected member of Derry and Strabane District Council.[1]

Republican activity

Donnelly is a member of the 32 County Sovereignty Movement (32CSM) and formerly the Real IRA.[2]

Arrests and convictions

In March 2010, Donnelly was convicted of assaulting a Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) officer and sentenced to seven months imprisonment. While serving his sentence Donnelly briefly went on hunger strike following his removal from the republican wing of Maghaberry prison. Prison officials explained the decision claiming Donnelly had received a death threat from the Real IRA, a charge Donnelly denied.[3][4]

In August 2010 Donnelly was charged under the auspices of anti-terror legislation in connection with three pipe bomb attacks in September 2009. Authorities accused Donnelly of being in possession of a mobile phone linked the attacks.[5] On December 22 of the same year the charges were dropped.[6]

In addition to Donnelly's March 2010 conviction, he has been charged with assaulting police officers on two other occasions. In both cases the charges were eventually dropped.[7][8]

2014 election

On May 24, 2014 Donnelly's was elected to the Derry & Strabane Council. Although a member of 32CSM, Donnelly ran as an independent and received 1,154 votes.[9]

References

  1. ↑ "Gary Donnelly elected in Derry & Strabane". BBC. 24 May 2014.
  2. ↑ "Martin McGuinness criticised by republican dissidents for toast to Queen". The Guardian. 21 April 2014.
  3. ↑ "Gary Donnelly on hunger strike". Derry Journal. 16 March 2010.
  4. ↑ "Donnelly ends Maghaberry hunger strike". Irish Republican News. Retrieved 19 August 2014.
  5. ↑ "32 CSM man charged under terrorism legislation". BBC. 20 August 2010.
  6. ↑ "Timeline of dissident republican activity". BBC. Retrieved 19 August 2014.
  7. ↑ "Gary Donnelly charges dropped 'without prejudice'". BBC. 25 July 2011.
  8. ↑ "Gary Donnelly has assault charge dropped". BBC. 23 September 2013.
  9. ↑ "Republican dissident elected to Derry and Strabane Council as SDLP loses dominance". Belfast Telegraph. 26 May 2014.