Rosemary Nelson inquiry postponed

A public inquiry into the murder of solicitor Rosemary Nelson has been postponed for nine months, it has today been reported.

The inquiry, which began in 2005 over allegations of state collusion in the murder, was set up under the recommendation of retired Canadian Judge Peter Cory who at the time said that there was enough circumstantial evidence of collusion to merit one.

The hearings were due to begin on January 16 this year however were called off as the inquiry said that it would not be possible to begin proceedings.

A statement released today by the inquiry panel, said: “The Inquiry recognises that this news will disappoint some of those who are concerned with its work. It has reached its decision only after carefully considering the progress made to date in all areas of its work and the adverse consequences of deciding to maintain the present start date.”

It also said that in view of the amount and the range of work which remains to be completed to enable the Inquiry and the full participants fully and properly to prepare for the full hearings, the inquiry has decided not to set a specific date for those hearings to begin at this stage.

However it is understood that full hearings could begin in September next year.

Rosemary Nelson died outside her Lurgan home in March 1999, after a bomb planted by loyalist paramilitaries exploded under her car.

Mrs Nelson became well known after representing Catholic residents in Portadown during the Drumcree dispute.

It has been reported that before her death that she had allegedly received death threats from members of the RUC.

(EF)