Latest news with #PeterSheridan
Western Telegraph
21-05-2025
- Politics
- Western Telegraph
Legacy body focused on and capable of uncovering ‘unvarnished truth'
Sir Declan Morgan, chief commissioner of the Independent Commission for Reconciliation and Information Recovery (ICRIR) also 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 Troubles. More Stories The Legacy Act halted scores of cases going through the courts and inquests concerning the Troubles. The leaders of the ICRIR gave evidence to the Northern Ireland Affairs committee on Wednesday (Westminster/PA) Giving evidence to the Northern Ireland Affairs Committee over how the Government should address the region's past, Sir Declan said the ICRIR currently has 60 investigations ongoing, and has received more than 160 requests. Those 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 1975. Sir 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. Peter Sheridan, commissioner for investigations for the ICRIR (Westminster/PA) 'Let me assure this committee that it is absolutely not,' he told MPs. He 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 said. Steven 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'.
Dublin Live
13-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Dublin Live
Imelda May to return to Dublin's 3Olympia to star in Mother Of All The Behans
Singer Imelda May is set to return to Dublin's 3Olympia Theatre to star in Mother Of All The Behans. The show is adapted and directed for the stage by Peter Sheridan from the book by Brian Behan. The show tells the remarkable story of Kathleen Behan, who presided over one of the most brilliant and controversial families of modern Ireland. Following sold-out performances in 2023 and 2024, Mother Of All The Behans will return to Dublin's 3Olympia Theatre for a limited run only from July 29 to August 2, 2025. Speaking ahead of her sold-out run in 2024, Imelda said: "I can't wait to become the fiercely wonderful Kathleen Behan again for a while and to share her incredible life story with you. 'This one woman play, Mother of All The Behans, written and directed by my dear friend and genius Peter Sheridan, is being brought back to you all by popular demand. 'You came in your droves last year and every seat sold out so we're back thanks to you. I cannot wait." Tickets priced from €21.50 including booking fee & €1.50 restoration levy are on sale now with Ticketmaster. Join our Dublin Live breaking news service on WhatsApp. Click this link to receive your daily dose of Dublin Live content. We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don't like our community, you can check out any time you like. If you're curious, you can read our Privacy Notice. For all the latest news from Dublin and surrounding areas visit our homepage.
Irish Daily Mirror
13-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Irish Daily Mirror
Imelda May set to return to popular Dublin venue to star in hit play
Singer Imelda May is set to return to Dublin's 3Olympia Theatre to star in Brian Behan's show, The Mother Of All Behans. From the book by Mr Behan, the show is adapted and directed for the stage by Peter Sheridan. Following sold-out performances in 2023 and 2024, The Mother Of All The Behans will return to Dublin's 3Olympia Theatre for a limited run only from July 29 to August 2, 2025. Speaking ahead of her sold-out run in 2024, Imelda May said: "I can't wait to become the fiercely wonderful Kathleen Behan again for a while and to share her incredible life story with you. 'This one woman play, The Mother of All Behans, written and directed by my dear friend and genius Peter Sheridan, is being brought back to you all by popular demand. 'You came in your droves last year and every seat sold out so we're back thanks to you. I cannot wait. See you soon in 3Olympia Theatre, Theatre Royal Waterford, The Everyman Cork and the Belfast Grand Opera House.' Tickets priced from €21.50 including booking fee & €1.50 restoration levy are on sale now with Ticketmaster.
The Independent
03-04-2025
- Politics
- The Independent
Legacy body carrying out 50 investigations into 96 deaths
The legacy body tasked with probing outstanding cases from Northern Ireland's Troubles has said it is now carrying out 50 live investigations involving 96 deaths. The Independent Commission for Reconciliation and Information Recovery (ICRIR), which became operational in May 2024, said the number of people coming to it continues to grow. The ICRIR was created by the previous Conservative government's controversial Legacy Act which halted scores of civil cases and inquests into Troubles deaths. Bereaved families, victims and certain public authorities can instead request the ICRIR carry out an investigation. While Labour has committed to repealing the Act and has said legacy inquests will resume, it is continuing with the ICRIR. In its latest accountability update, the body said: 'In the period from May 1 2024 to March 31 2025, 154 people (requesting individuals) have come to the commission. 'There are 50 live investigations under way.' The report said the 50 investigations relate to 96 deaths. Commissioner for investigations Peter Sheridan said: 'There are forensic opportunities. There are investigative lines of inquiry. 'Our work is not a 'light-touch review'. 'We're trying to encourage people and build confidence in this commission. 'I will sit down with anyone and explain how, in every single case, I put senior investigating officers in to investigate all of the information available.' The commission, headed by former Lord Chief Justice Sir Declan Morgan, has faced opposition from political parties and victims' organisations in Northern Ireland, and its powers have been subject to legal challenges. The latest case which the ICRIR has said publicly it is investigating is the murder of an RUC reserve constable by the IRA in October 1982. John Eagleson, a father of three, was shot in the chest while making his way to work on his motorbike. The commission is also investigating the murder of Judge Rory Conaghan, who was shot dead by an IRA gunman in front of his daughter at their Belfast home in September 1974. The accountability update said the ICRIR now has 172 staff, with 66% based in Belfast and 34% in London. It said: 'As at March 31 2025, 43 staff work in the information recovery (IR) team of the investigations directorate; 65% are based in London with 35% based in Belfast. 'This includes senior investigating officers, IR team supervisors, investigating officers and investigation support officers. 'The wider operations work also includes case support and findings. 'Of the 86 people working in operations, 45% have investigative experience in Northern Ireland. 'A further 36% have investigative experience solely outside of Northern Ireland. 'The remaining 19% of people have other relevant experience for the delivery of the commission's work.'
Yahoo
03-04-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Legacy body carrying out 50 investigations into 96 deaths
The legacy body tasked with probing outstanding cases from Northern Ireland's Troubles has said it is now carrying out 50 live investigations involving 96 deaths. The Independent Commission for Reconciliation and Information Recovery (ICRIR), which became operational in May 2024, said the number of people coming to it continues to grow. The ICRIR was created by the previous Conservative government's controversial Legacy Act which halted scores of civil cases and inquests into Troubles deaths. Bereaved families, victims and certain public authorities can instead request the ICRIR carry out an investigation. While Labour has committed to repealing the Act and has said legacy inquests will resume, it is continuing with the ICRIR. In its latest accountability update, the body said: 'In the period from May 1 2024 to March 31 2025, 154 people (requesting individuals) have come to the commission. 'There are 50 live investigations under way.' The report said the 50 investigations relate to 96 deaths. Commissioner for investigations Peter Sheridan said: 'There are forensic opportunities. There are investigative lines of inquiry. 'Our work is not a 'light-touch review'. 'We're trying to encourage people and build confidence in this commission. 'I will sit down with anyone and explain how, in every single case, I put senior investigating officers in to investigate all of the information available.' The commission, headed by former Lord Chief Justice Sir Declan Morgan, has faced opposition from political parties and victims' organisations in Northern Ireland, and its powers have been subject to legal challenges. The latest case which the ICRIR has said publicly it is investigating is the murder of an RUC reserve constable by the IRA in October 1982. John Eagleson, a father of three, was shot in the chest while making his way to work on his motorbike. The commission is also investigating the murder of Judge Rory Conaghan, who was shot dead by an IRA gunman in front of his daughter at their Belfast home in September 1974. The accountability update said the ICRIR now has 172 staff, with 66% based in Belfast and 34% in London. It said: 'As at March 31 2025, 43 staff work in the information recovery (IR) team of the investigations directorate; 65% are based in London with 35% based in Belfast. 'This includes senior investigating officers, IR team supervisors, investigating officers and investigation support officers. 'The wider operations work also includes case support and findings. 'Of the 86 people working in operations, 45% have investigative experience in Northern Ireland. 'A further 36% have investigative experience solely outside of Northern Ireland. 'The remaining 19% of people have other relevant experience for the delivery of the commission's work.'
