Mags GarganThe head of the leading pro-life campaign group in the North is appealing her conviction for harassment.
Bernadette Smyth, the founder of Precious Life, was found guilty last month of harassing Dawn Purvis, director of the Marie Stopes clinic in Belfast. She has now been sentenced to community service, ordered to pay £2,000 compensation and banned from the area around the clinic where the pro-life group has been holding a prayer vigil.
Ms Smyth’s solicitor, Aiden Carlin said an appeal has already been lodged and is due to be heard next month. He said Ms Smyth was exercising her right to impart her faith and of peaceful assembly.
Allegation
“Bernadette Smyth has totally refuted this allegation and invites Christians everywhere to follow the next stage of her landmark case which has the potential to shape how the law is interpreted and applied in future,” Mr Carlin said.