Campaign anger over 'strip search'

Mr Duffy was due to appear in Coleraine Court on Monday (October 11) at 10am, but proceedings were delayed until 12.30pm.

When leaving Maghaberry Prison to attend court, Mr Duffy was strip searched and allegedly assaulted by prison officers.

Defence lawyer Mark Mulholland told Coleraine Magistrates Court that his client had been left in "significant pain" as a result.

Mr Duffy, of Forest Glade, Lurgan, and Brian Chivers of Magherafelt are charged with the murders of soldiers Mark Quinsey and Cengiz Patrick Azimkhar.

The 42-year-old is also accused of five counts of attempted murder and possession of firearms with intent in connection with the Real IRA ambush.

According to the Friends of Colin Duffy website, Mr Duffy was “forcibly strip searched and assaulted” before being transported to Coleraine.

The website continued: “This ordeal included the screws forcibly putting prison clothing on him. Once Colin’s handcuffs were removed Colin removed the offensive clothing.

"In his opening address to the court Mr. Mulholland drew the judge’s attention to the fact that Colin was sitting in the court with no clothing on underneath his coat. Mr Mulholland continued, pointing out that this was a result of his clothes having been cut off him during the forced strip search.”

A spokesperson for the Northern Ireland Prison Service (NIPS) confirmed that Mr Duffy was forcibly strip searched after refusing to co-operate with prison officers.

The spokesperson said: "Mr Duffy was required to attend court yesterday morning. All prisoners leaving and entering NI prisons are subject to full body searches, in common with the approach in other jurisdictions.

"In line with NIPS procedures, which call for prisoners to be treated with respect, Mr Duffy was full body searched on his exit from and re-entry to Maghaberry Prison. If Mr Duffy wishes to make a complaint through the various channels, it is open for him to do so."