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13/01/2009
Robert Hamill Inquiry Opens Public Sessions
The Robert Hamill Inquiry commenced its full public hearings today.
The probe - at the Interpoint Centre in Belfast - is examining how Robert Hamill died following an incident in Portadown on 27th April, 1997.
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. Proceedings began today with opening remarks by the Inquiry's Chairman, Sir Edwin Jowitt, (who is pictured here).
This will be followed by an opening address from leading Counsel to the Inquiry, Ashley Underwood QC, which will set out the structure of the Inquiry, and the main issues to be considered.
Legal representatives for the main interested parties to the Inquiry will then be given an opportunity to make opening addresses if they wish.
The Inquiry will hear evidence from approximately 160 witnesses who will appear in person.
It is intended that most of this evidence will be heard by the end of May 2009, although the Inquiry has scheduled further sittings in September 2009 to hear any outstanding oral evidence.
The Inquiry hopes to complete its report and present it to the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland by June 2010.
The Inquiry was set up by the then Secretary of State for Northern Ireland in November 2004.
Since then, the Inquiry team has interviewed over 230 prospective witnesses, and has collated and reviewed over 20,000 documents.
The Chairman is Sir Edwin Jowitt, who was a Justice of the High Court, Queen's Bench Division, from 1988 to 2000.
The other members of the Inquiry Panel are Reverend Baroness (Kathleen) Richardson of Calow, who is currently the Moderator of the Churches' Commission for Inter Faith Relations, and Sir John Evans, who was Chief Constable of the Devon and Cornwall Constabulary between 1989 and 2002, during which time he was also President of the Association of Chief Police Officers.
The Inquiry is open the public.
(BMcC/JM)
The probe - at the Interpoint Centre in Belfast - is examining how Robert Hamill died following an incident in Portadown on 27th April, 1997.
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. Proceedings began today with opening remarks by the Inquiry's Chairman, Sir Edwin Jowitt, (who is pictured here).
This will be followed by an opening address from leading Counsel to the Inquiry, Ashley Underwood QC, which will set out the structure of the Inquiry, and the main issues to be considered.
Legal representatives for the main interested parties to the Inquiry will then be given an opportunity to make opening addresses if they wish.
The Inquiry will hear evidence from approximately 160 witnesses who will appear in person.
It is intended that most of this evidence will be heard by the end of May 2009, although the Inquiry has scheduled further sittings in September 2009 to hear any outstanding oral evidence.
The Inquiry hopes to complete its report and present it to the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland by June 2010.
The Inquiry was set up by the then Secretary of State for Northern Ireland in November 2004.
Since then, the Inquiry team has interviewed over 230 prospective witnesses, and has collated and reviewed over 20,000 documents.
The Chairman is Sir Edwin Jowitt, who was a Justice of the High Court, Queen's Bench Division, from 1988 to 2000.
The other members of the Inquiry Panel are Reverend Baroness (Kathleen) Richardson of Calow, who is currently the Moderator of the Churches' Commission for Inter Faith Relations, and Sir John Evans, who was Chief Constable of the Devon and Cornwall Constabulary between 1989 and 2002, during which time he was also President of the Association of Chief Police Officers.
The Inquiry is open the public.
(BMcC/JM)
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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.
12 May 2010
Hamill Probe Seeks Public's Views
The Robert Hamill Inquiry is inviting members of the public to submit their views on any issues they believe the Inquiry should cover in its recommendations. The Inquiry intends to deliver its report, together with a series of recommendations, to the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland by the end of the year.
Hamill Probe Seeks Public's Views
The Robert Hamill Inquiry is inviting members of the public to submit their views on any issues they believe the Inquiry should cover in its recommendations. The Inquiry intends to deliver its report, together with a series of recommendations, to the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland by the end of the year.
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.
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.
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.
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Northern Ireland WeatherToday:Scattered showers of rain, sleet and, over hills, snow in the morning with sunny spells, the best of these in the south. The showers dying out this afternoon with increasing amounts of sunshine. Occasionally fresh westerly or northwesterly winds easing. Maximum temperature 6 °C.Tonight:Clear start with a fairly widespread frost developing. Increasing cloud brings occasionally heavy rain overnight, preceded, especially over western hills, briefly by snow. Occasional southeasterly gales, severe near coasts, developing. Minimum temperature -2 °C.
