I want the family to have truth & justice, says Harris reiterating support for public inquiry into murder of Sean Brown
A PUBLIC inquiry is currently the only way to deliver a human rights-compliant investigation into the murder of GAA official Sean Brown, the Tanaiste has insisted.
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Sean Brown was ambushed, kidnapped and murdered in May 1997
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Simon Harris has backed a public inquiry into the murder of GAA official Sean Brown
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Mr Brown, 61, the then chairman of Wolfe Tones
No-one has ever been convicted of his killing.
Preliminary inquest proceedings last year heard that in excess of 25 people had been linked by intelligence to the murder, including several state agents.
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It had also been alleged in court that surveillance of a suspect in the murder was temporarily stopped on the evening of the killing, only to resume again the following morning.
This year Appeal Court judges in Belfast affirmed an earlier High Court ruling compelling the Government to hold a
However, Mr Benn is attempting to take the case onward for further appeal at the Supreme Court, insisting the case involves a key constitutional principle of who should order public inquiries, the Government or the judiciary.
Mr Harris met with members of the Brown family, including Mr Brown's 87-year-old widow Bridie, in
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After meeting with political leaders at Stormont to discuss legacy issues, the Tanaiste made clear he supported the family's call for a public inquiry.
He said: 'That's been the long-established position of the
'PAIN AND SUFFERING'
'I want the Brown family to have a mechanism that has never been provided to them, which has to be Article Two (of the European Convention on Human Rights) compliant in terms of human rights and international law.
'I met the Brown family last week, and I was really, really taken by the huge level of pain and suffering, and the lack of answers that they are going on, that is continuing to this very day.
'A public inquiry is currently the only mechanism for it that is Article Two compliant.'
CLEAR VIEW
Asked about the potential Supreme Court appeal, the
'I want the family to have truth and justice that has been denied to them to date, and I want them to have it in a way that is Article Two compliant.
'I supported their calls for an inquiry.
'I don't want to comment on any ongoing legal processes out of respect to the different roles that I and the British Government have, but I very much support the Brown family.'
Bellaghy came to a standstill on Friday evening as thousands of people showed their support for the Brown family's call for a public inquiry.
FAMILY SUPPORT
People travelled from across the island of Ireland, including as far away as Co
Those in attendance included First Minister Michelle O'Neill,
Many wore GAA shirts from their home clubs or counties as they showed solidarity with the Brown family.
There was a spontaneous round of applause for Mr Brown's family who led the procession as it reached the town centre.
'DEEPLY SHOCKING'
Mr Benn said: 'I've met the Brown family, and the murder of Sean Brown was deeply shocking and brutal.
'I want there to be a full, thorough and independent investigation into his murder.
'The reason that the Government is appealing is there's a wider principle at stake here.
'But I have the greatest sympathy for the Brown family and all of the other families in Northern Ireland for what they have been through.'
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