A retired church pastor has denied charges that his protest against abortion near a Derry hospital was illegal despite taking place within a so-called ‘safe-access zone’ which forbids even silent pro-life vigils or prayer near facilities that conduct abortions.

The 76-year-old clergyman disputes the charges on a point of devolution and under Article 9 of the European Convention on Human Rights [ECHR].

Clive Johnston, from Belmont Road in Sion Mills, is a former president of the Association of Baptist Churches in Ireland and will be represented by former Attorney General John Larkin.

He is charged with protesting in a ‘safe access zone’ at the Causeway Hospital in Coleraine, “with the intent of, or being reckless as to whether, it had the effect of influencing a protected person whether directly or indirectly in connection with the protected person attending the premises” on July 7th last year.

Article nine of the ECHR “provides a right to freedom of thought, conscience and religion”.

A separate court will hear arguments that the matter should be a devolved one and any legislation imposed by Westminster upon Northern Ireland, as this was, is invalid.