Londonderry republican on hunger strike

A spokesperson for the group - opposed to power-sharing under the Belfast, St Andrew's and Hillsborough Agreements, hostile to the PSNI and also associated with violent separatist group the Real IRA - said a protest at Donnelly's "criminalisation" would take place in the Bogside on Tuesday.

In a statement issued this morning Monday, March 15 the group said the protest at Free Derry corner was to "highlight the plight of Gary Donnelly who has been refusing food in protest at the attempt to criminalise him by prison authorities."

It adds: "This protest will also highlight the bogus threat which Brit authorities have imposed as justification to bolster their criminalisation process."

The statement said "all Republicans" are welcome to attend the demonstration.

Donnelly was recently jailed after losing an appeal against convictions for assaulting and obstructing a police officer.

The charges related to an incident at Foyle Street in November 2007.

During the incident Donnelly's arm was broken.

At Londonderry Crown Court, Judge Piers Grant upheld the convictions as well as a further conviction for obstructing a police officer.

Donnelly told the court that he was unwilling to carry out any form of probation order or any form of community service as part of the judge's sentencing options and was jailed for seven months.

He was fined 450 when originally convicted in January.