In a statement on February 8, 2025 a spokesperson for Cumann Tomás Ó hAirt, Sinn Féin Poblachtach, Ard Mhacha Thuaidh said: “ The ruling by the British government to veto any investigation into injustice and murder in the Occupied Six Counties has been overturned by their own law courts’.
“It has been reported by Connla Young in the Irish News that ten former RUC officers are employed by the Commission for Reconciliation and Information Recovery (ICRIR). The initial cost to set up this body has been estimated at £250 million and is funded by the British government to look at legacy issues including injustices and state murder.
“The new revelation that there is more RUC involvement beyond ex-RUC commander and now ICRIR Commissioner for Investigations Peter Sheridan has brought further mistrust towards an already troubled British state body.
“In the past, this British government quango has declined to clarify specific roles beyond the ICRIR Commissioner for Investigations. The question is, as is likely, are these individuals, who once patrolled the streets of the Occupied Six Counties, dealing with sensitive material from investigations or working as intelligence officers?
“Families of victims deserve truth, accountability, and ultimately, justice. Daniel Holder, of the Committee on the Administration of Justice, has said conflicts of interest can arise if you are involved in an investigation engaging the actions of an institution (RUC) you were part of. He goes on to say that this relates to the fundamental principle of practical independence in legacy investigations that is a legal requirement of Articles 2 and 3 of the ECHR (European Convention on Human Rights).
“Recently, the British Court of Appeal in the Occupied Six Counties ruled that sensitive material can be disclosed by the ICRIR to relatives of the dead as withholding it from them is not compatible with human rights laws.
“As far back as 2013 a HMIC (His Majesty’s Inspectorate of Constabulary) report into the Historical Enquiries Team (HET) judged the ‘independence necessary to satisfy Article 2 can only be guaranteed if former RUC officers are not involved in investigating state involvement cases’.
“Furthermore, other bodies precluded ex-RUC from any involvement in legacy investigations such as the Police Ombudsman and Operation Kenova. However, former RUC officers were allowed to join the now defunct Historical Enquiries Team (HET).
“Sinn Féin Poblachtach will continue to show our solidarity with victims’ families.”
CRÍOCH/END
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