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25/08/2009
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.
At the High Court in Belfast this morning, counsel for the witness, Tracey Clarke informed the court that she would be willing to give evidence at the earliest opportunity.
There are continuing allegations that the crew of an RUC mobile patrol vehicle that was nearby made no attempt to intervene to protect Robert Hamill, 25, or his companions.
Last March, the Chairman of the Robert Hamill Inquiry, Sir Edwin Jowitt, (pictured above) referred to the High Court the failure of Ms Clarke to attend the Inquiry to give oral evidence.
She is said to be the former partner of a man once suspected of murdering Mr Hamill.
The referral provided for the High Court to commence civil enforcement proceedings against her to compel her to attend under section 36 of the Inquiries Act 2005.
Ms Clarke still failed to attend an oral hearing on 28th January 2009 after the Chairman issued a notice the previous day to compel Ms Clarke to attend under section 21 of the Inquiries Act.
Today, speaking after the High Court hearing, Judi Kemish, Solicitor and Secretary to the Inquiry, said: "The Inquiry is pleased that Ms Clarke has agreed to give evidence."
Ms Clarke was the first witness who had failed to attend the Inquiry after being served with a notice issued under section 21 of the Inquiries Act.
The Inquiry is into the role of the then Royal Ulster Constabulary (RUC) with regard to the circumstances surrounding Mr Hamill's death and the subsequent investigation.
The Inquiry will also examine the role of the Northern Ireland Director for Public Prosecutions in relation to the police investigation.
See: Robert Hamill Inquiry Opens Public Sessions
See: Police To Be Anonymous At Hamill Inquiry
(BMcC/GK)
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.
At the High Court in Belfast this morning, counsel for the witness, Tracey Clarke informed the court that she would be willing to give evidence at the earliest opportunity.
There are continuing allegations that the crew of an RUC mobile patrol vehicle that was nearby made no attempt to intervene to protect Robert Hamill, 25, or his companions.
Last March, the Chairman of the Robert Hamill Inquiry, Sir Edwin Jowitt, (pictured above) referred to the High Court the failure of Ms Clarke to attend the Inquiry to give oral evidence.
She is said to be the former partner of a man once suspected of murdering Mr Hamill.
The referral provided for the High Court to commence civil enforcement proceedings against her to compel her to attend under section 36 of the Inquiries Act 2005.
Ms Clarke still failed to attend an oral hearing on 28th January 2009 after the Chairman issued a notice the previous day to compel Ms Clarke to attend under section 21 of the Inquiries Act.
Today, speaking after the High Court hearing, Judi Kemish, Solicitor and Secretary to the Inquiry, said: "The Inquiry is pleased that Ms Clarke has agreed to give evidence."
Ms Clarke was the first witness who had failed to attend the Inquiry after being served with a notice issued under section 21 of the Inquiries Act.
The Inquiry is into the role of the then Royal Ulster Constabulary (RUC) with regard to the circumstances surrounding Mr Hamill's death and the subsequent investigation.
The Inquiry will also examine the role of the Northern Ireland Director for Public Prosecutions in relation to the police investigation.
See: Robert Hamill Inquiry Opens Public Sessions
See: Police To Be Anonymous At Hamill Inquiry
(BMcC/GK)
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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.
31 July 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.
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.
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.
26 March 2009
Hamill Witness Faces 'Compelling' Legal Action
The current official probe being held into the contentious fatal beating of Robert Hamill in Co Armagh is to seek court action to force a witness to attend. Yesterday, the Chairman of the Hamill Inquiry, Sir Edwin Jowitt, has referred to the High Court "the failure of a witness to attend the Inquiry to give oral evidence".
Hamill Witness Faces 'Compelling' Legal Action
The current official probe being held into the contentious fatal beating of Robert Hamill in Co Armagh is to seek court action to force a witness to attend. Yesterday, the Chairman of the Hamill Inquiry, Sir Edwin Jowitt, has referred to the High Court "the failure of a witness to attend the Inquiry to give oral evidence".
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Northern Ireland WeatherToday:A sunny but frosty start for many. However cloud increases by midday with a few showers reaching the north coast, these mostly light but spreading inland this afternoon. Chilly. Maximum temperature 8 °C.Tonight:A rather cloudy evening with scattered showers. Becoming drier through the night with some good clear spells developing and a patchy frost away from coasts. Minimum temperature 0 °C.
