Latest news with #NorthernIrelandAffairsCommittee
South Wales Argus
23-06-2025
- Politics
- South Wales Argus
Series of public inquiries on Troubles incidents ‘not the way forward'
He came under questioning over the Government's handling of legacy cases during a meeting of the Northern Ireland Affairs Committee on Monday. Mr Benn insisted that a reformed Independent Commission for Reconciliation and Information Recovery (ICRIR) will be able to deal with the cases. Campaigners outside Belfast High Court during a challenge to the Legacy Act (Brian Lawless/PA) The body led by Sir Declan Morgan, a former lord chief justice for Northern Ireland, was set up by the former government's Legacy Act after scores of legacy inquests and other court cases relating to the Troubles were halted. The Kingsmill massacre and the Guildford pub bombings are among cases it is currently looking at. Mr Benn told MPs they are working to change disclosure arrangements and to make it compliant with Article 2 of the European Convention on Human Rights. 'In the end, we're not going to deal with legacy with a whole series of public inquiries,' he said. 'We're doing all this work to try and create a body which is capable of delivering justice for all, information for all, answers for all. 'That is what I am trying to do at the moment because of the incompatibilities identified.' He was asked about his decision not to call a public inquiry into the circumstances around the murder of GAA official Sean Brown in 1997. In May the UK Government confirmed it will seek a Supreme Court appeal over a court ruling that ordered it to hold a public inquiry into Mr Brown's murder. Supporters of the family of GAA official Sean Brown, with widow Bridie Brown (centre), daughter Clare Loughran (left) and daughter Siobhan Brown (right) (Liam McBurney/PA) The 61-year-old 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. Asked about Mr Brown's case, Mr Benn told MPs: 'It's an awful, awful case. 'The murder of Sean Brown was shocking, deeply violent, and this has caused immense suffering to the family, to his widow Bridie and to the wider community, including the GAA family, because of the role that he undertook. 'But I came to the conclusion that the commission reformed would be capable of looking into it, and there's an issue of principle here in respect to the court ruling. 'Up until this moment, the courts accepted that it is for governments to decide whether public inquiries are ordered, not for the courts. 'What the courts have tended to say is, this is the test that has to be met, the way in which the government chooses to meet that test is a matter for governments to decide. 'There is a margin of appreciation that is made available. 'In this particular case, the court has decided to order a public inquiry. 'We're seeking leave to appeal to the Supreme Court because of that fundamental principle, which is, courts do not order public inquiries, governments do, and that is very important because of the nature of the mandatory order I am not able to do anything else other than order a public inquiry, which I made it clear that the Government is not going to do, because I believe there's another means of dealing with this case.' Mr Benn said there are five other cases that are in the same position. 'People say the Sean Brown case is unique. All murders are unique and uniquely painful for the family, but it is not a unique case,' he said. 'This is not a unique case, and I would also say we are not going to deal with legacy by having a whole series of public inquiries. 'That is not a way forward. That is why we have to make the reform of the commission to win public confidence. 'To make it ECHR compliant is so important because then you have a mechanism that you can use to deal with all of them and all of us, the committee, the whole team, everybody needs to be concerned about justice for everyone.' He added: 'It is open to the Brown family to go to the commission today, the commission will start work on investigating.'
Western Telegraph
23-06-2025
- Politics
- Western Telegraph
Series of public inquiries on Troubles incidents ‘not the way forward'
He came under questioning over the Government's handling of legacy cases during a meeting of the Northern Ireland Affairs Committee on Monday. Mr Benn insisted that a reformed Independent Commission for Reconciliation and Information Recovery (ICRIR) will be able to deal with the cases. Campaigners outside Belfast High Court during a challenge to the Legacy Act (Brian Lawless/PA) The body led by Sir Declan Morgan, a former lord chief justice for Northern Ireland, was set up by the former government's Legacy Act after scores of legacy inquests and other court cases relating to the Troubles were halted. The Kingsmill massacre and the Guildford pub bombings are among cases it is currently looking at. Mr Benn told MPs they are working to change disclosure arrangements and to make it compliant with Article 2 of the European Convention on Human Rights. 'In the end, we're not going to deal with legacy with a whole series of public inquiries,' he said. 'We're doing all this work to try and create a body which is capable of delivering justice for all, information for all, answers for all. 'That is what I am trying to do at the moment because of the incompatibilities identified.' He was asked about his decision not to call a public inquiry into the circumstances around the murder of GAA official Sean Brown in 1997. In May the UK Government confirmed it will seek a Supreme Court appeal over a court ruling that ordered it to hold a public inquiry into Mr Brown's murder. Supporters of the family of GAA official Sean Brown, with widow Bridie Brown (centre), daughter Clare Loughran (left) and daughter Siobhan Brown (right) (Liam McBurney/PA) The 61-year-old 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. Asked about Mr Brown's case, Mr Benn told MPs: 'It's an awful, awful case. 'The murder of Sean Brown was shocking, deeply violent, and this has caused immense suffering to the family, to his widow Bridie and to the wider community, including the GAA family, because of the role that he undertook. 'But I came to the conclusion that the commission reformed would be capable of looking into it, and there's an issue of principle here in respect to the court ruling. 'Up until this moment, the courts accepted that it is for governments to decide whether public inquiries are ordered, not for the courts. 'What the courts have tended to say is, this is the test that has to be met, the way in which the government chooses to meet that test is a matter for governments to decide. 'There is a margin of appreciation that is made available. 'In this particular case, the court has decided to order a public inquiry. 'We're seeking leave to appeal to the Supreme Court because of that fundamental principle, which is, courts do not order public inquiries, governments do, and that is very important because of the nature of the mandatory order I am not able to do anything else other than order a public inquiry, which I made it clear that the Government is not going to do, because I believe there's another means of dealing with this case.' Mr Benn said there are five other cases that are in the same position. 'People say the Sean Brown case is unique. All murders are unique and uniquely painful for the family, but it is not a unique case,' he said. 'This is not a unique case, and I would also say we are not going to deal with legacy by having a whole series of public inquiries. 'That is not a way forward. That is why we have to make the reform of the commission to win public confidence. 'To make it ECHR compliant is so important because then you have a mechanism that you can use to deal with all of them and all of us, the committee, the whole team, everybody needs to be concerned about justice for everyone.' He added: 'It is open to the Brown family to go to the commission today, the commission will start work on investigating.'
Yahoo
23-06-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Series of public inquiries on Troubles incidents ‘not the way forward'
The legacy of Northern Ireland's past is not going to be dealt with by a series of public inquiries, Secretary of State Hilary Benn has said. He came under questioning over the Government's handling of legacy cases during a meeting of the Northern Ireland Affairs Committee on Monday. Mr Benn insisted that a reformed Independent Commission for Reconciliation and Information Recovery (ICRIR) will be able to deal with the cases. The body led by Sir Declan Morgan, a former lord chief justice for Northern Ireland, was set up by the former government's Legacy Act after scores of legacy inquests and other court cases relating to the Troubles were halted. The Kingsmill massacre and the Guildford pub bombings are among cases it is currently looking at. Mr Benn told MPs they are working to change disclosure arrangements and to make it compliant with Article 2 of the European Convention on Human Rights. 'In the end, we're not going to deal with legacy with a whole series of public inquiries,' he said. 'We're doing all this work to try and create a body which is capable of delivering justice for all, information for all, answers for all. 'That is what I am trying to do at the moment because of the incompatibilities identified.' He was asked about his decision not to call a public inquiry into the circumstances around the murder of GAA official Sean Brown in 1997. In May the UK Government confirmed it will seek a Supreme Court appeal over a court ruling that ordered it to hold a public inquiry into Mr Brown's murder. The 61-year-old 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. Asked about Mr Brown's case, Mr Benn told MPs: 'It's an awful, awful case. 'The murder of Sean Brown was shocking, deeply violent, and this has caused immense suffering to the family, to his widow Bridie and to the wider community, including the GAA family, because of the role that he undertook. 'But I came to the conclusion that the commission reformed would be capable of looking into it, and there's an issue of principle here in respect to the court ruling. 'Up until this moment, the courts accepted that it is for governments to decide whether public inquiries are ordered, not for the courts. 'What the courts have tended to say is, this is the test that has to be met, the way in which the government chooses to meet that test is a matter for governments to decide. 'There is a margin of appreciation that is made available. 'In this particular case, the court has decided to order a public inquiry. 'We're seeking leave to appeal to the Supreme Court because of that fundamental principle, which is, courts do not order public inquiries, governments do, and that is very important because of the nature of the mandatory order I am not able to do anything else other than order a public inquiry, which I made it clear that the Government is not going to do, because I believe there's another means of dealing with this case.' Mr Benn said there are five other cases that are in the same position. 'People say the Sean Brown case is unique. All murders are unique and uniquely painful for the family, but it is not a unique case,' he said. 'This is not a unique case, and I would also say we are not going to deal with legacy by having a whole series of public inquiries. 'That is not a way forward. That is why we have to make the reform of the commission to win public confidence. 'To make it ECHR compliant is so important because then you have a mechanism that you can use to deal with all of them and all of us, the committee, the whole team, everybody needs to be concerned about justice for everyone.' He added: 'It is open to the Brown family to go to the commission today, the commission will start work on investigating.'
Sunday World
18-06-2025
- Politics
- Sunday World
24 police officers moved from domestic abuse unit to deal with riots in Ballymena
A senior PSNI officer said she 'cannot begin to describe the challenges' the force is dealing with within its public protection unit. Detective Chief Superintendent Zoe McKee, head of public protection at the PSNI, gave evidence to MPs (UK Parliament/PA) Twenty-four police officers were removed from duties investigating sex crimes and domestic abuse to deal with recent public disorder in Northern Ireland, MPs have been told. A senior PSNI officer said she 'cannot begin to describe the challenges' the force is dealing with within its public protection unit. The Northern Ireland Affairs Committee held an evidence session on ending violence against women and girls. The Stormont Executive launched its first Ending Violence Against Women and Girls strategy last year. Detective Chief Superintendent Zoe McKee is head of the public protection team at the PSNI, which deals with sex crimes and domestic abuse. She told the committee that there are 'real challenges' for police due to the funding situation. Scores of police officers have been hurt during recent rioting in Northern Ireland (Brian Lawless/PA) She said: 'If we do not have the dedicated resources to deal with issues like this, we are going to be in this perpetual cycle and we are going to be creating our own legacy in time. 'I cannot begin to describe the challenges within public protection arena within policing currently. 'By way of example, even this week alone I have had 24 officers extracted for public disorder which actually stemmed from a violence against women and girls offence. 'That narrative has been lost in a lot of what has happened in recent weeks. 'We are facing significant under-funding challenges, a £21 million gap and we have officers at the very lowest level we have ever had in the PSNI, at 6,200 and we should be sitting at 7,500. 'They are real challenges which effect how we deliver services and support victims and prosecute offenders for all of the violence against women and girls offence types.' More than 60 police officers have been injured in disturbances that started last week after a peaceful protest over an alleged sexual assault in Ballymena and later spread to other areas. Dr Siobhan McAllister Dr Siobhan McAllister, senior lecturer in criminology Queen's University Belfast, told the committee that there is still a 'mistrust' in some communities about reporting domestic crimes to police. She said: 'We see this being passed down within families and within communities, you don't go to the police and paramilitaries within communities might know then if you go to the police. 'That still does have an impact.' DUP leader Gavin Robinson asked if delays within the criminal justice system in Northern Ireland was a barrier to female victims coming forward. Sonya McMullan Sonya McMullan, regional services Manager for Women's Aid Northern Ireland, told the committee she had been dealing with a domestic abuse victim who had waited five years for her abuser to be sentenced. She said: 'People are dropping out (of the criminal justice system), we have this issue all of the time, it doesn't instil public confidence in people going forward. 'Are you going to put your life on hold for five years? 'We have had women coming forward saying I am not going through this, I simply cannot put myself and my family through this. 'People talk about the retraumatisation going through the court process and having to relive that. 'A lot of that doesn't encourage people to come forward.' Detective Chief Superintendent Zoe McKee, head of public protection at the PSNI, gave evidence to MPs (UK Parliament/PA) News in 90 Seconds - June 18th
The Independent
21-05-2025
- Politics
- The Independent
ICRIR given advice over enabling potential meetings for victims and perpetrators
Northern Ireland's legacy body received advice around a potential move to enable victims and perpetrators to meet where there is a desire to, a Westminster committee has heard. Sir Declan Morgan, chief commissioner at the Independent Commission for Reconciliation and Information Recovery (ICRIR) said 'extreme caution would be needed'. Addressing the Northern Ireland Affairs Committee on Wednesday, Sir Declan said they have considered actions beyond compiling a report on murders and atrocities from the region's troubled past. 'We've looked at whether if victims want to meet perpetrators, or representatives of perpetrators, whether there should be a mechanism for them to do so,' he told MPs. 'The first thing about anything that goes beyond the report that we produce is that it must be victim led. 'It's not for the perpetrator to make any decision about this, it must be victim led. 'We had our external assurance group reflect on how this might be done, and what the mechanisms might be, and the advice back to us is that it is certainly worth thinking about something after the report has been prepared where there might be a way of enabling some kind of meeting between the victim and the perpetrator, but the advice is that you need to be astonishingly careful about this because the danger is that you will actually retraumatise the victim. 'I think if it is going to be contemplated, I would have thought the most sensible thing to do is to think carefully about it and then to run something as a pilot rather than just to put it into the legislation wholesale. 'But I can't overemphasise the advice to us from the external assurance group, which included some experienced people in this territory that you need to be very careful.' ICRIR commissioner for investigations Peter Sheridan, who in a former role brought together an IRA man and the widow of the police officer he murdered, also appeared at the committee. He said, when he was chief executive of peacebuilding charity Co-operation Ireland, he was approached by the widow over meeting the perpetrator. 'I didn't know her, she wanted to meet the perpetrator of her husband's murder, I didn't know him either but through a process I got the two of them together,' he told MPs. 'I went into the room with them, I said to them, 'look, I feel like this is a private conversation', and the widow said to me, 'no, I want you to stay'. 'I have never broken the confidence of what was said in that room between them. 'Except two things struck me about it, one was how respectful the conversation was, even though this person had been involved in the murder of her husband, but secondly the questions this lady was asking. 'She wasn't asking what I would have thought as an investigator, she was asking simple things, 'were you following our kids to school at the weekend, did you follow them to the swimming pool, were you looking through our windows at night time'. 'These were things that were with her for over 40 years, and she rhymed them off, it wasn't just that this was somehow today she thought about them, this had been in her mind. 'And he answered them, and answered them honestly, and then told his own story, and I left with the two of them embracing. 'That was one sense of reconciliation for those two people, not every victim wants to meet the perpetrator but I do see that there are other opportunities, and it is one of the reasons why I put my hand up to apply for the commission because I could see that there were other possibilities in it.'
