A candidate in the upcoming Westminster elections has been jailed for refusing to pay a Covid fine.
Anne McCloskey (67), of Chapel Road in Derry, appeared at Derry Magistrate’s Court on Wednesday in connection with an unpaid fine, and was given an immediate warrant to pay the amount or to go to prison for 14 days.
The fine was issued in 2022 for a breach of Covid regulations.
District Judge Barney McElholm told the defendant she had an outstanding amount of £255 and nothing had been paid and no arrangements had been entered into.
He said if Ms McCloskey wanted he was willing to give her time to pay but if not he would impose an immediate warrant with prison in lieu.
Ms McCloskey, who is standing for election in Foyle, asked was the court a court of record and was told it wasn’t, and she said that then the only witnesses were the judge, her and a police officer.
The judge said that there was a packed courtroom including the press.
Ms McCloskey said she was protected by the Geneva Convention and accused court officials of “fraud” by entering a plea of not guilty for her in relation to the original offences.
The defendant went on to say she had been arrested on the foot of “a fake entity” namely the Director of Public Prosecution (DPP) whom she said “does not exist in law or statute”.
As the defendant continued to speak Judge McElholm muted her microphone and said she was talking “nonsense” .
He said he had never met the DPP personally but he was pretty sure he existed.
The judge said he had given Ms McCloskey an opportunity but she had gone off on “a diatribe”.
He imposed an immediate warrant which means the fine had to be paid immediately or she would face 14 days in prison.
The BBC reported that the NI Court Service confirmed Dr McCloskey had been sent to Hydebank Wood Prison in Belfast.