Law student arrested for breaking church windows.....

Pretani · 4 July 2009 at 5:03PM

Church attack suspect is QC's son

A man arrested following an attack on a Belfast church is the son of a leading QC, the BBC has learned.

Last Tuesday, windows were smashed at City Church in the Holylands area. It was used to shelter Roma families who fled their homes after racist attacks.

Police have said they do not believe there was a link between the incidents.

One of the three men arrested was law student Niall Colton who is from Belfast. His father is Adrian Colton QC, and his mother is also a solicitor.
Both are past presidents of the students' union at Queen's University in Belfast.

Niall Colton has just finished his second year of a law degree.

One of the three men arrested was released unconditionally.

Reports have been sent to the Public Prosecution Service in relation to the other two

Golden_Anemone · 4 July 2009 at 6:00PM

Yes Pretani, I too read that story with horror. Bet Mummy and Daddy are a tiny bit miffed with their little darling right now!

Seriously though this will do nothing for this kid's career and if convicted he ought to be thrown out of Queen's - whether he will be is another matter.

It reminds me of reading about a solicitor who was arrested at the last contentious Drumcree - the year the Quinn children were murdered - for attempting to cut down a telegraph pole. I often wonder whether the Law Society disbarred him but I doubt that too.

Pretani · 4 July 2009 at 6:05PM

Golden_Anemone wrote: »

It reminds me of reading about a solicitor who was arrested at the last contentious Drumcree - the year the Quinn children were murdered - for attempting to cut down a telegraph pole. I often wonder whether the Law Society disbarred him but I doubt that too.

Tell us more, I can't remember that one?

Golden_Anemone · 4 July 2009 at 6:17PM

I can't tell you more as I just read an article in The Observer that said during the unrest police arrested several men they caught redhanded attempting to saw through a telegraph pole and that one of them was a local solicitor. I never saw or heard anything further about it.

Pretani · 4 July 2009 at 6:24PM

Golden Anemone, unscrupulous solicitors seems to be our forte in N.Ireland.

Golden_Anemone · 4 July 2009 at 6:39PM

Yes, the profession has been brought into disrepute by quite a few rogues this last year or 2. I'm sure they're the exception rather than the rule though. I have to be - some of my best friends are solicitors and barristers - my degree is in law! :rotfl:

Pretani · 4 July 2009 at 6:45PM

Golden_Anemone wrote: »

Yes, the profession has been brought into disrepute by quite a few rogues this last year or 2.

....but you were talking about 1998, that's hardly two years ago.

Pretani · 4 July 2009 at 6:48PM

Golden_Anemone wrote: »

some of my best friends are solicitors and barristers - my degree is in law! :rotfl:

What's your opinion on defense solicitors being classified as human rights solicitors?

Golden_Anemone · 4 July 2009 at 7:20PM

1, I was referring to Sandhu, Brangam and McRitchie actually and a solicitor who helped a Saintfield couple cheat his mother out of her home. Google them if you don't remember the cases.

2, I imagine some of them may be, as part of their role, especially while the client is in custody, is to ensure their rights are not breached. I don't believe the majority of criminal defence solicitors would be experts in Human Rights law though.

Pretani · 4 July 2009 at 7:44PM

Golden_Anemone wrote: »

2, I imagine some of them may be, as part of their role, especially while the client is in custody, is to ensure their rights are not breached. I don't believe the majority of criminal defence solicitors would be experts in Human Rights law though.

In the case of Finucane and Nelson, who were defense solicitors before they died, what law or status now allows them to be classified as human rights solicitors? The sceptic might think this is simply publicity. Is a defense solicitor allowed to be called a human rights solicitor?