Coroner lifts suspension on Troubles inquests
UP to 21 inquests into controversial killings in Northern Ireland are set to proceed after a suspension on the probes was lifted.
The tribunals, ordered by Attorney General John Larkin QC, had been put on hold when Senior Coroner John Leckey questioned whether he had exceeded his powers.
But a legal challenge to that move brought by relatives of some of those killed was formally ended at the High Court in Belfast on Monday.
A lawyer for one of the families later confirmed the judicial review proceedings were halted because Mr Leckey has now lifted his suspension.
The hearings were adjourned at a preliminary stage last November amid uncertainty over the Attorney General’s right to authorise them.
At the time the coroner, cited potential national security issues.
The coroner’s decision provoked outrage among relatives of those whose deaths were to be scrutinised.
Lawyers for a number of the families launched legal challenges, claiming the move was unlawful and procedurally unfair.
The deaths which were due to be scrutinised include 11-year-old Francis Rowntree, who was hit by a rubber bullet fired by a soldier in west Belfast in 1972.
Another case involves Gerard Slane, a 27-year-old father-of-three shot dead by the UDA at his home in the city in 1988. His killing sparked claims of collusion between loyalist paramilitaries and the security forces.
Proceedings were also brought on behalf of relatives of Gerard Casey, murdered by the UFF in Rasharkin in 1989; Danny Doherty and William Fleming, shot dead by the SAS in Londonderry in 1984; and Francis Bradley, killed by the SAS near Castledawson in 1986.
A full hearing of the families’ judicial review challenge was due to take place next week.
But in court yesterday the case was brought to an end, with the judge told there was no long any requirement for the challenge.
Outside the court, solicitor Paul Pierce, representing Mr Slane’s widow Teresa, said: “We welcome the decision by the coroner to lift the suspension in relation to these inquests.”
Mr Pierce added: “The inquest will now proceed and we ask the coroner to list it for a further preliminary hearing as soon as possible.”
