Latest news with #DeclanMorgan
ITV News
21-05-2025
- Politics
- ITV News
ICRIR chief tells MPs the government is committed to changing 'imperfect' legacy legislation
The head of the Independent Commission for Reconciliation and Information Recovery (ICRIR) has told MPs that a Government 'reset' of the controversial Legacy Act , could include the appointment of an Irish Commissioner to assist with the organisation's discovery of information into Troubles killings. The ICRIR, which is currently conducting 60 investigations, also said it wants the power to challenge the government withholding documentation under national security concerns. Sir Declan Morgan, chief commissioner of the ICRIR described a 'reset moment' to improve the 'imperfect' Legacy Act. It comes after the controversial legislation was passed despite widespread opposition and concern from political parties in Northern Ireland and victims and survivors of the Legacy Act halted scores of cases going through the courts and inquests concerning the evidence to the Northern Ireland Affairs Committee over how the Government should address the region's past, Sir Declan said the ICRIR has received more than 160 include the deaths of five people in the IRA's Guildford pub bombings in 1974, the death of Alexander Millar in Ardoyne in 1975, the death of Seamus Bradley shot by the Army in Londonderry in 1972 and the death of the judge Rory Conaghan killed by the IRA in Declan told MPs: 'Those would not have happened if we had not looked at the opportunities that this legislation has provided, and we can do all of those things in an Article 2-compliant way, and in a way which will eventually secure the unvarnished truth.'By the end of this year we will have over 100 investigations in relation to probably more than 150 deaths ongoing, and by the time of the legislation we would expect that that number would have significantly increased, as would the number of people that we have been able to help.'The choice was whether to help those people who were anxious to have an answer to what they wanted or stand back and say, this legislation is not perfect. I don't make any apology for the fact that I decided I wanted to help people.'He added: 'I just wonder whether the approach to the work of the commission will be treated in such a negative light, particularly when the two governments reach agreement on what they want to do.'Also giving evidence to the committee, ICRIR commissioner for investigations Peter Sheridan said he absolutely rejects that they are carrying out light-touch reviews.'Let me assure this committee that it is absolutely not,' he told described the first stage of the process as being a cold case review which looks for new evidence, verifies old evidence, identifies investigative failures and re-examines forensics.'That's going to be the key for us because witness evidence from the past is difficult, but new forensic opportunities, and I already see it in some of the cases … so we're examining that with the latest trace evidence that you can use,' he said.'Looking at continuity of evidence in old cases, conduct fresh searches on data bases and use advances in digital forensics, so it is absolutely not a light-touch review.'I am duty-bound under the legislation to look into all of the circumstances of the case, that's what we're doing.'Sir Declan emphasised that the focus of the ICRIR is 'on finding a mechanism to ensure that we achieve the unvarnished truth for victims and survivors'.'The High Court and the Court of Appeal in Northern Ireland have found that we are capable of doing this in an Article 2-compliant way in most if not all cases,' he said.'The litigation that has occurred in Northern Ireland has been very hard on families and with hindsight I just wonder whether we could all as lawyers have done better in dealing with it.'This is a reset moment, we need to make the changes to this imperfect legislation that will support the two governments and help us in the project of finding the truth.'Asked about their communication with the Northern Ireland Office over reform of the Legacy Act, ICRIR chief executive Louise Warde Hunter said there has been 'ongoing cordial and robust conversations'.'We are fully committed to the issue of reform, to strengthen in order to deliver for victims, survivors and families,' she Bramley, general counsel at the ICRIR, added that the areas they want to reform include greater independent oversight; a statutory voice for victims and survivors; statutory investigations, not reviews; a statutory conflict of interest policy; a self initiation power where there is a thematic link between different events; and 'a power for chief constables to refer cases directly to us when new evidence comes to light'.
Leader Live
21-05-2025
- Politics
- Leader Live
Legacy body ‘lacks powers of a public inquiry to examine Sean Brown murder'
The Irish Government is among those who have backed Mr Brown's family's long campaign for a public inquiry. Earlier this month, the Court of Appeal in Belfast affirmed a previous court ruling, compelling the UK government to hold a public inquiry into his killing. However, Northern Ireland Secretary Hilary Benn has applied for a Supreme Court appeal on the judicial rulings. Mr Brown, 61, the then chairman of Wolfe Tones GAA Club in the Co Londonderry town of Bellaghy, was ambushed, kidnapped and murdered by loyalist paramilitaries as he locked the gates of the club in May 1997. 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. It was also 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. In an interview earlier, Mr Brown's elderly widow Bridie, 87, said she does not know why her husband was killed, and reiterated her call for a public inquiry into his death to answer the questions her family has. 'I don't know why they chose Sean, I just do not know because he was the same with everybody,' she said during an interview on BBC's The GAA Social podcast. 'He treated everybody alike, he walked with both sides of the community.' She also paid tribute to the turnout of thousands in Bellaghy last Friday evening to support her family's campaign for a public inquiry. 'It was emotional,' she said. 'Never in my wildest dreams had I thought about so big a turnout.' Last month, Mr Benn said he is taking steps to ensure that the Independent Commission for Reconciliation and Information Recovery (ICRIR) is capable of carrying out an independent and rigorous investigation into Mr Brown's murder. During an appearance at the Northern Ireland Affairs Committee, ICRIR chief commissioner Sir Declan Morgan was pressed by SDLP leader Claire Hanna on the Brown case. Sir Declan said if the case came to the ICRIR, his investigators would carry out a cold case review, a scoping exercise and would treat the case as a criminal investigation and gather all the evidence. 'But I agree that we could not do the next step which is subsequent to that, once the terms of reference have been set, and up to that point, we're definitely Article 2 compliant,' he told MPs at the Northern Ireland Affairs Committee. 'But the next bit is having identified what the issues are to then organise a hearing with proper representation by lawyers in relation to that, and also understanding that the sensitive information arrangements, in my view, need to be reviewed and the commission needs to be able to exercise proper challenge in relation to those.' Speaking outside the meeting, Ms Hanna said the ICRIR in its current form 'cannot fully meet the needs of the family of Sean Brown'. 'Today's comments from Sir Declan Morgan are welcome and shine a light on where the ICRIR falls short,' she said. 'Any further delay to the resuming and restarting of inquests alongside the continued denial of a public inquiry to the Brown family is the British Government delaying truth and justice. 'The SDLP is committed to the delivery of legacy structures that families can buy into. Sir Declan's comments underline our key concerns about deficiencies relating to participation by families in proceedings and the continued existence of a veto on information by the Secretary of State.'
Rhyl Journal
21-05-2025
- Politics
- Rhyl Journal
Legacy body ‘lacks powers of a public inquiry to examine Sean Brown murder'
The Irish Government is among those who have backed Mr Brown's family's long campaign for a public inquiry. Earlier this month, the Court of Appeal in Belfast affirmed a previous court ruling, compelling the UK government to hold a public inquiry into his killing. However, Northern Ireland Secretary Hilary Benn has applied for a Supreme Court appeal on the judicial rulings. Mr Brown, 61, the then chairman of Wolfe Tones GAA Club in the Co Londonderry town of Bellaghy, was ambushed, kidnapped and murdered by loyalist paramilitaries as he locked the gates of the club in May 1997. 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. It was also 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. In an interview earlier, Mr Brown's elderly widow Bridie, 87, said she does not know why her husband was killed, and reiterated her call for a public inquiry into his death to answer the questions her family has. 'I don't know why they chose Sean, I just do not know because he was the same with everybody,' she said during an interview on BBC's The GAA Social podcast. 'He treated everybody alike, he walked with both sides of the community.' She also paid tribute to the turnout of thousands in Bellaghy last Friday evening to support her family's campaign for a public inquiry. 'It was emotional,' she said. 'Never in my wildest dreams had I thought about so big a turnout.' Last month, Mr Benn said he is taking steps to ensure that the Independent Commission for Reconciliation and Information Recovery (ICRIR) is capable of carrying out an independent and rigorous investigation into Mr Brown's murder. During an appearance at the Northern Ireland Affairs Committee, ICRIR chief commissioner Sir Declan Morgan was pressed by SDLP leader Claire Hanna on the Brown case. Sir Declan said if the case came to the ICRIR, his investigators would carry out a cold case review, a scoping exercise and would treat the case as a criminal investigation and gather all the evidence. 'But I agree that we could not do the next step which is subsequent to that, once the terms of reference have been set, and up to that point, we're definitely Article 2 compliant,' he told MPs at the Northern Ireland Affairs Committee. 'But the next bit is having identified what the issues are to then organise a hearing with proper representation by lawyers in relation to that, and also understanding that the sensitive information arrangements, in my view, need to be reviewed and the commission needs to be able to exercise proper challenge in relation to those.' Speaking outside the meeting, Ms Hanna said the ICRIR in its current form 'cannot fully meet the needs of the family of Sean Brown'. 'Today's comments from Sir Declan Morgan are welcome and shine a light on where the ICRIR falls short,' she said. 'Any further delay to the resuming and restarting of inquests alongside the continued denial of a public inquiry to the Brown family is the British Government delaying truth and justice. 'The SDLP is committed to the delivery of legacy structures that families can buy into. Sir Declan's comments underline our key concerns about deficiencies relating to participation by families in proceedings and the continued existence of a veto on information by the Secretary of State.'
Irish Examiner
01-05-2025
- Politics
- Irish Examiner
Victims urge boycott of new Troubles legacy body during protest at its office
Troubles victims urged other families bereaved in the Northern Ireland conflict to boycott a new legacy truth recovery and investigations body as they protested outside its office. The demonstration at the Independent Commission for Reconciliation and Information Recovery (ICRIR) in Belfast came on the first anniversary of the implementation of a legal guillotine that halted inquests and civil court cases linked to the Troubles. That move came as part of the last UK government's contentious Legacy Act. The Act established the ICRIR as an alternative mechanism for families seeking truth and justice about the deaths of their loved ones. The body is headed up by former Northern Ireland Lord Chief Justice Sir Declan Morgan. While the Labour government has vowed to repeal and replace parts of the Act and reinstate inquests and civil cases, it is retaining the ICRIR. Many bereaved families are unhappy with the retention of the commission and have vowed not to engage with it. Victims have questioned the body's independence and its ability to uncover answers about Troubles crimes. Last year the Court of Appeal in Belfast part allowed an appeal taken against the Legacy Act, ruling there were breaches of both human rights law and the Windsor Framework that governs post-Brexit arrangements in Northern Ireland. Among its findings, the court found that a Government veto power over what sensitive material can be disclosed to bereaved families by the ICRIR is unlawful. The court also ruled that the ICRIR does not provide victims and their next of kin adequate means to participate in its processes. The Government has appealed the case to the Supreme Court. However, Northern Ireland Secretary Hilary Benn has also vowed to make reforms to how the ICRIR operates. Paddy Clarke, whose brother Joey was killed by loyalist paramilitaries in south Belfast in 1975, was among victims who addressed the event outside the ICRIR office. He said his family has been searching for the truth for 50 years. 'Every time we get near the truth, or anything like it, the Government introduces some new bill to hide the truth from the families,' he said. 'And I have absolutely no faith whatsoever in the ICRIR or any rings or bells they may put on it. The families know why it was introduced. 'They know it was introduced to protect the British Government, the state agents and the ex-veterans, to protect them, not to help the families. 'And I would say to the rest of the families to please do not get engaged with this ICRIR, it is only a charade.' Gary Duffy's great uncle Ambrose Hardy was killed in the New Lodge area of north Belfast in 1973 in shootings involving the British Army. An inquest into his death and five others killed in same incidents was halted due to the Legacy Act. Mr Duffy, who is a solicitor, told the crowd on Thursday: 'We cannot accept the inquest ending and this matter being investigated by this ICRIR. 'Our families, and I think all families of victims, cannot trust the ICRIR, and we would call on the British Government to immediately reinstate all legacy inquests and end this insistence that families can proceed to the ICRIR.' Grainne Teggart from Amnesty International also addressed the event. She said the Labour Government 'risks repeating the mistakes of its predecessors by choosing secrecy over transparency'. 'Today marks the one year anniversary of the Legacy Act's guillotine on truth,' she said. 'On the 1st of May last year the door slammed shut to victims seeking answers and accountability and the ICRIR, a body rejected by the victims here today, the very people it is supposed to serve, opened its doors. 'This body is no substitute for proper due process. The UK Government, like previous, is continuing a culture of impunity, denying families the truth and accountability to which they are entitled. 'We don't want empty words of claimed commitment to delivery for victims. 'We will judge this Government on its actions, and those actions demonstrate one thing – more delay, more obstruction, more litigation. 'Today, we say to the UK Government, we want urgent action, we want inquests for all, not just for some, and we want an end to the second-class treatment of those seeking accountability for the wrongs committed during the conflict. 'Instead of pursuing legal challenges, this Government must prioritise the parliamentary time needed to deliver legislation to replace the discredited Legacy Act.' A spokesperson for the ICRIR said: 'The commission has been operational for one year. Over 150 people have asked us to investigate on their behalf. Around 60 of those requests, relating to around 100 deaths during the Troubles/conflict, have already moved into the active investigation stage. 'These victims, survivors and families come from every background and community, and their numbers continue to grow. 'Our doors are open to everyone. We are committed to building trust and confidence in our work and are working with government, stakeholders and wider society to promote the necessary legislative reforms to achieve that.' Read More British cabinet minister: No one in House of Commons wants Kneecap to play Glastonbury
Yahoo
01-05-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Victims urge boycott of new Troubles legacy body during protest at its office
Troubles victims urged other families bereaved in the Northern Ireland conflict to boycott a new legacy truth recovery and investigations body as they protested outside its office. The demonstration at the Independent Commission for Reconciliation and Information Recovery (ICRIR) in Belfast came on the first anniversary of the implementation of a legal guillotine that halted inquests and civil court cases linked to the Troubles. That move came as part of the last UK government's contentious Legacy Act. The Act established the ICRIR as an alternative mechanism for families seeking truth and justice about the deaths of their loved ones. The body is headed up by former Northern Ireland Lord Chief Justice Sir Declan Morgan. While the Labour government has vowed to repeal and replace parts of the Act and reinstate inquests and civil cases, it is retaining the ICRIR. Many bereaved families are unhappy with the retention of the commission and have vowed not to engage with it. Victims have questioned the body's independence and its ability to uncover answers about Troubles crimes. Last year the Court of Appeal in Belfast part allowed an appeal taken against the Legacy Act, ruling there were breaches of both human rights law and the Windsor Framework that governs post-Brexit arrangements in Northern Ireland. Among its findings, the court found that a Government veto power over what sensitive material can be disclosed to bereaved families by the ICRIR is unlawful. The court also ruled that the ICRIR does not provide victims and their next of kin adequate means to participate in its processes. The Government has appealed the case to the Supreme Court. However, Northern Ireland Secretary Hilary Benn has also vowed to make reforms to how the ICRIR operates. Paddy Clarke, whose brother Joey was killed by loyalist paramilitaries in south Belfast in 1975, was among victims who addressed the event outside the ICRIR office. He said his family has been searching for the truth for 50 years. 'Every time we get near the truth, or anything like it, the Government introduces some new bill to hide the truth from the families,' he said. 'And I have absolutely no faith whatsoever in the ICRIR or any rings or bells they may put on it. The families know why it was introduced. 'They know it was introduced to protect the British Government, the state agents and the ex-veterans, to protect them, not to help the families. 'And I would say to the rest of the families to please do not get engaged with this ICRIR, it is only a charade.' Gary Duffy's great uncle Ambrose Hardy was killed in the New Lodge area of north Belfast in 1973 in shootings involving the British Army. An inquest into his death and five others killed in same incidents was halted due to the Legacy Act. Mr Duffy, who is a solicitor, told the crowd on Thursday: 'We cannot accept the inquest ending and this matter being investigated by this ICRIR. 'Our families, and I think all families of victims, cannot trust the ICRIR, and we would call on the British Government to immediately reinstate all legacy inquests and end this insistence that families can proceed to the ICRIR.' Grainne Teggart from Amnesty International also addressed the event. She said the Labour Government 'risks repeating the mistakes of its predecessors by choosing secrecy over transparency'. 'Today marks the one year anniversary of the Legacy Act's guillotine on truth,' she said. 'On the 1st of May last year the door slammed shut to victims seeking answers and accountability and the ICRIR, a body rejected by the victims here today, the very people it is supposed to serve, opened its doors. 'This body is no substitute for proper due process. The UK Government, like previous, is continuing a culture of impunity, denying families the truth and accountability to which they are entitled. 'We don't want empty words of claimed commitment to delivery for victims. 'We will judge this Government on its actions, and those actions demonstrate one thing – more delay, more obstruction, more litigation. 'Today, we say to the UK Government, we want urgent action, we want inquests for all, not just for some, and we want an end to the second-class treatment of those seeking accountability for the wrongs committed during the conflict. 'Instead of pursuing legal challenges, this Government must prioritise the parliamentary time needed to deliver legislation to replace the discredited Legacy Act.' The ICRIR has been approached for comment.
