Colin, along with five other people who were arrested in March this year, have launched a new High Court challenge to British laws. 

Under current British laws, Irish citizens in the Six Counties can be locked up and repeatedly questioned by police for up to 28 days without being charged. They might not even be told why they are there.

Colin and the other detainees have already won a legal case against a decision to extend their period in custody.

However, their lawyers are now seeking a declaration that the relevant terrorism legislation was incompatible with their right to liberty under the European Convention on Human Rights.

Proceedings began earlier this year when a County Court judge granted the PSNI more time to question all six under the amended Terrorism Act which allows for people to be held for up to 28 days before they must be charged or released. 

Although this extension was quashed, a further claim that it breached their European Convention rights was set aside at the time due to the urgency of the case.

Lawyers for Colin and the others returned to the High Court yesterday to request a declaration which could have far-reaching implications.

Legal sources predicted that if the application is successful it would have a major impact on the length of time Republicans can be held in interrogation centers 

Colin's barrister Barry Macdonald, representing all six, set out how the relevant legislation made clear that any arrest must be to bring the suspect before the “competent legal authority”.

During submissions which focused heavily on legal points, the barrister said that in Britain this referred to the magistrates court.

To bring a suspect there charges must have been brought, and within days, it was argued.

The hearing continues.