30/10/2006

Inquiry into Billy Wright murder commences

The public inquiry into the murder of LVF leader Billy Wright, who was gunned down by three INLA inmates at the Maze prison on December 27 1997, has today commenced in Belfast.

This marks the beginning of the first stage of the inquiry, which will last for one week and will focus mainly on recovering a number of specific documents from the Maze prison from the time of the shooting, which the inquiry has been told are not available.

Throughout the week, the inquiry will hear from 17-people who witnessed the incident, before adjourning until Spring next year.

The public inquiry into Wright's killing was announced by the then Northern Ireland Secretary of State, Paul Murphy in November 2004 following allegations of security force collusion in his murder.

(EF)

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