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31/07/2007
House Of Lords Rule On Hamill Inquiry
The House of Lords have ruled that a Belfast court must decide if ex-RUC officers are to receive anonymity when giving evidence at an inquiry into a Portadown man’s death.
Robert Hamill, a 25-year-old Catholic, died in hospital following an attack by a loyalist mob in Portadown in 1997.
Mr Hamill was beaten to death by the loyalist mob in the town centre and police allegedly watched and failed to intervene.
The police have denied eyewitness allegations that four RUC officers in a Land Rover saw the attack and did not intervene.
The Robert Hamill Inquiry had appealed to the House of Lords against a decision to grant a judicial review of its refusal to offer the police officers anonymity.
A total of 20 retired RUC officers claimed they would be in fear of their lives if identified and have fought a decision, by inquiry chairman Sir Edwin Jowitt`s team, that they appear unscreened.
An inquiry spokesman has said now that the approach taken by the Robert Hamill Inquiry has been approved by the House of Lords it looks forward to commencing the full oral hearings at the earliest opportunity.
No one has been convicted in connection with Mr Hamill’s death.
(SB/SP)
Robert Hamill, a 25-year-old Catholic, died in hospital following an attack by a loyalist mob in Portadown in 1997.
Mr Hamill was beaten to death by the loyalist mob in the town centre and police allegedly watched and failed to intervene.
The police have denied eyewitness allegations that four RUC officers in a Land Rover saw the attack and did not intervene.
The Robert Hamill Inquiry had appealed to the House of Lords against a decision to grant a judicial review of its refusal to offer the police officers anonymity.
A total of 20 retired RUC officers claimed they would be in fear of their lives if identified and have fought a decision, by inquiry chairman Sir Edwin Jowitt`s team, that they appear unscreened.
An inquiry spokesman has said now that the approach taken by the Robert Hamill Inquiry has been approved by the House of Lords it looks forward to commencing the full oral hearings at the earliest opportunity.
No one has been convicted in connection with Mr Hamill’s death.
(SB/SP)
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29 April 2009
Hamill Inquiry Witnesses To Be Screened
The Robert Hamill Inquiry has ruled that witnesses who are serving or retired police officers may give their evidence from behind a screen. However, they will not be granted full anonymity. This ruling has been made in response to applications for such screening on behalf of a number of former or still serving police officers due to give evidence.
Hamill Inquiry Witnesses To Be Screened
The Robert Hamill Inquiry has ruled that witnesses who are serving or retired police officers may give their evidence from behind a screen. However, they will not be granted full anonymity. This ruling has been made in response to applications for such screening on behalf of a number of former or still serving police officers due to give evidence.
11 March 2009
Police To Be Anonymous At Hamill Inquiry
To allow the ongoing Robert Hamill Inquiry to continue with its work "without undue delay", anonymity for police officers giving evidence has been granted. The Inquiry Chairman Sir Edwin Jowitt, has ruled that - on a temporary basis until further notice - no police officers giving evidence will be identified.
Police To Be Anonymous At Hamill Inquiry
To allow the ongoing Robert Hamill Inquiry to continue with its work "without undue delay", anonymity for police officers giving evidence has been granted. The Inquiry Chairman Sir Edwin Jowitt, has ruled that - on a temporary basis until further notice - no police officers giving evidence will be identified.
25 August 2009
Witness For Hamill Inquiry Welcomed
The Robert Hamill Inquiry has welcomed news that a key witness has agreed to give evidence. An attack by a loyalist mob in Portadown town centre in 1997 remains at the heart of the continuing legal probe into the deadly circumstances.
Witness For Hamill Inquiry Welcomed
The Robert Hamill Inquiry has welcomed news that a key witness has agreed to give evidence. An attack by a loyalist mob in Portadown town centre in 1997 remains at the heart of the continuing legal probe into the deadly circumstances.
12 March 2009
Perjury Report Follows Hamill Inquiry Sitting
A continuing official probe into the violent death of a Co Armagh man over a decade ago and the actions taken by police officers at the time has taken a dramatic turn.
Perjury Report Follows Hamill Inquiry Sitting
A continuing official probe into the violent death of a Co Armagh man over a decade ago and the actions taken by police officers at the time has taken a dramatic turn.
31 August 2006
Officers fear for lives over inquiry appearance
A defence lawyer representing 20 former police officers due to testify at the inquiry into the murder of County Armagh man Robert Hamill, has said that they fear that their lives could be in danger if they are identified. The officers challenged the inquiry after it was ruled that they would not be able to give evidence anonymously.
Officers fear for lives over inquiry appearance
A defence lawyer representing 20 former police officers due to testify at the inquiry into the murder of County Armagh man Robert Hamill, has said that they fear that their lives could be in danger if they are identified. The officers challenged the inquiry after it was ruled that they would not be able to give evidence anonymously.
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