Menu
30/05/2007
Documents 'destroyed' in Billy Wright tribunal
A public inquiry into the assassination of loyalist leader Billy Wright has been informed that thousands of documents have gone missing or been deliberately destroyed.
A lawyer for his family made the claim and as the tribunal set up to probe alleged state collusion in the murder began public hearings, lawyers revealed difficulties in securing vital documents from police, prison and intelligence services.
Wright, who led the Loyalist Volunteer Force (LVF), was murdered by INLA prisoners inside the Maze Prison in December 1997. He was being escorted from his cell in a prison van when the gang climbed over the roof of the H-block into the prison yard.
He was shot several times and pronounced dead within an hour and three INLA prisoners were later convicted of the killing.
Senior counsel for the inquiry, Derek Batchelor QC, said they had experienced delays and difficulty in recovering documents and records.
He also revealed the police had been issued four formal notices to hand over documents to the inquiry dating back to November 2005, but only this month had the inquiry received a substantial volume of papers.
The Chairman of the tribunal, Lord MacLean, said they are expecting to involve up to 180 witnesses.
Lord MacLean said: “I said in December 2005 that the inquiry had exercised its powers under the Inquiries Act 2005 and served notices in accordance with Section 21 of the Act.
“That process has continued over the last 18 months and may not yet be over.”
He added: “Although hearings start today, the inquiry’s investigatory work is still not complete.
“This is due to a number of factors, not least the speed at which material has been provided to the inquiry, particularly from the Police Service of Northern Ireland.”
The LVF leader’s father David Wright has claimed the murder was a result of collusion and challenged Northern Ireland Secretary Peter Hain’s decision to carry it out under the Inquiries Act instead of the original Prisons Act.
It is understood the inquiry may last for up a year.
(JM/KMcA)
A lawyer for his family made the claim and as the tribunal set up to probe alleged state collusion in the murder began public hearings, lawyers revealed difficulties in securing vital documents from police, prison and intelligence services.
Wright, who led the Loyalist Volunteer Force (LVF), was murdered by INLA prisoners inside the Maze Prison in December 1997. He was being escorted from his cell in a prison van when the gang climbed over the roof of the H-block into the prison yard.
He was shot several times and pronounced dead within an hour and three INLA prisoners were later convicted of the killing.
Senior counsel for the inquiry, Derek Batchelor QC, said they had experienced delays and difficulty in recovering documents and records.
He also revealed the police had been issued four formal notices to hand over documents to the inquiry dating back to November 2005, but only this month had the inquiry received a substantial volume of papers.
The Chairman of the tribunal, Lord MacLean, said they are expecting to involve up to 180 witnesses.
Lord MacLean said: “I said in December 2005 that the inquiry had exercised its powers under the Inquiries Act 2005 and served notices in accordance with Section 21 of the Act.
“That process has continued over the last 18 months and may not yet be over.”
He added: “Although hearings start today, the inquiry’s investigatory work is still not complete.
“This is due to a number of factors, not least the speed at which material has been provided to the inquiry, particularly from the Police Service of Northern Ireland.”
The LVF leader’s father David Wright has claimed the murder was a result of collusion and challenged Northern Ireland Secretary Peter Hain’s decision to carry it out under the Inquiries Act instead of the original Prisons Act.
It is understood the inquiry may last for up a year.
(JM/KMcA)
Related Northern Ireland News Stories
Click here for the latest headlines.
02 November 2001
Human Organs Inquiry set to answer public’s questions
The Human Organs Inquiry set up by the Department of Health has invited members of the public to come and air their views and listen to health service staff as well as relatives affected by the retention of human organs in Northern Ireland.
Human Organs Inquiry set to answer public’s questions
The Human Organs Inquiry set up by the Department of Health has invited members of the public to come and air their views and listen to health service staff as well as relatives affected by the retention of human organs in Northern Ireland.
22 May 2002
NIHRC call for public inquiry into Wright murder
The Northern Ireland Human Rights Commission (NIHRC) has called for an independent and international judicial inquiry into the murder of former Loyalist Volunteer Force leader Billy Wright.
NIHRC call for public inquiry into Wright murder
The Northern Ireland Human Rights Commission (NIHRC) has called for an independent and international judicial inquiry into the murder of former Loyalist Volunteer Force leader Billy Wright.
10 January 2005
Woman's body found in North Belfast
Police have begun a murder inquiry following the discovery of the body of a 45-year-old woman at a house in north Belfast on Monday morning. A spokeperson for the Police Service of Northern Ireland, said that officers called to the house at Brookville Court just before 7.30am this morning discovered the body of a woman.
Woman's body found in North Belfast
Police have begun a murder inquiry following the discovery of the body of a 45-year-old woman at a house in north Belfast on Monday morning. A spokeperson for the Police Service of Northern Ireland, said that officers called to the house at Brookville Court just before 7.30am this morning discovered the body of a woman.
30 November 2004
Police launch murder inquiry following body find
Police have launched a murder inquiry following the discovery of the body of man in his 40s in the Ballybean area of Dundonald. It is understood that the alarm was raised when the man, who has not yet been named, was reported overdue for work on Monday.
Police launch murder inquiry following body find
Police have launched a murder inquiry following the discovery of the body of man in his 40s in the Ballybean area of Dundonald. It is understood that the alarm was raised when the man, who has not yet been named, was reported overdue for work on Monday.
12 September 2024
Hilary Benn Announces Public Inquiry Into Pat Finucane Murder
Northern Ireland Secretary of State, Hilary Benn, has announced a decision to establish an independent inquiry under the Inquiries Act 2005 into the murder of Patrick Finucane. The 39-year-old solicitor was shot dead at his home in front of his wife and children by loyalist paramilitaries in February 1989.
Hilary Benn Announces Public Inquiry Into Pat Finucane Murder
Northern Ireland Secretary of State, Hilary Benn, has announced a decision to establish an independent inquiry under the Inquiries Act 2005 into the murder of Patrick Finucane. The 39-year-old solicitor was shot dead at his home in front of his wife and children by loyalist paramilitaries in February 1989.
-
Northern Ireland WeatherToday:Gale, coastal severe gale, northwest winds ease from late afternoon. Scattered showers will fall as snow over the hills at first, becoming isolated from mid-afternoon. Maximum temperature 7 °C.Tonight:Showers, scattered in the evening, will clear by midnight leaving the night dry with clear spells. Cloud will spread east towards morning. Minimum temperature 2 °C.
