SOLICITORS for two prominent Tyrone republicans fined £150 each for attending the funeral of a friend during lockdown say they will appeal the decision.
Brian Arthurs and Frankie Quinn were prosecuted for contravening health protection regulations after attending the funeral of former Sinn Féin councillor Francie McNally in April 2020.
Lawyers for the men last night said they now intend to appeal the convictions.
Both men are former senior members of the republican movement and served time for explosive offences.
Mr Arthurs was sentenced to 25 years in 1995 and released in 2000 under the Good Friday Agreement.
In 1988 Mr Quinn was caught in possession of a 1,000lb bomb and sentenced to 16 years.
The pair later parted company with Sinn Féin over its political strategy, including its acceptance of the PSNI.
Details of the decision to prosecute the former republican prisoners came as it emerged authorities had opted not to take court action against 24 Sinn Féin members over their attendance at the funeral of senior party member Bobby Storey in June 2020.
Both men were accused of attending Mr McNally's funeral in breach of strict lockdown regulations introduced as a result of the coronavirus pandemic.
Mr McNally's funeral procession was headed by a lone piper while a group of men, believed to be former republican prisoners, wearing white shirts and black ties formed a guard of honour as his remains were removed from his home at Ballinderry, which straddles the Tyrone-Derry border.
A cortege, which included a horse and carriage, later made its way to St Patrick's Church for burial.
The case went to contest last October and was adjourned for further legal arguments to be made before another brief submissions hearing was held in March.
During a hearing in Dungannon yesterday district judge Michael Ranaghan convicted the pair.
"In conclusion I do not find that either defendant established a reasonable excuse for the attendance at the ceremony on the eight of April 2020," he said.
Mr Quinn last night suggested the system lacks fairness.
"Constitutional nationalism talks about change in the system, there's equality and things have changed," he said.
"We beg to differ."
Mr Arthurs suggested that the majority of people referred to prosecutors have not faced court action and this amounted to "hypocrisy".
"We as republicans did not expect justice in a British court, unless you are part of the system," he added.
Solicitor Peter Corrigan, of Phoenix Law, last night said the "judgment in many ways epitomises the concerns raised on the compatibility of this legislation with the human rights act".
"It appears to be one rule for those in 10 Downing Street, and another for those in Ballinderry," he said.
"We now intend to appeal the instant decision to seek clarity in respect of the contentious legal landscape."
