Legacy body dealing with more killings than Met Police - commissioner

The legacy body investigating Troubles-related killings in Northern Ireland is dealing with more live murder cases than London’s Metropolitan Police, according to its chief commissioner. Sir Declan Morgan also revealed it receives about 11 new cases every month, but that he is unlikely to remain as head of the commission once planned changes are introduced. The Independent Commission for Reconciliation and Information Recovery (ICRIR) was set up to examine Troubles-related deaths. Speaking on BBC News NI’s The View , Sir Declan said the ICRIR is currently running 102 investigations involving 182 deaths.

About half the cases involve unionist or nationalist families, with a third coming from relatives of those killed in the Army and police. “It is a substantial body of work and we have more live murder investigations in the ICRIR than the Met,” he said. Sir Declan also welcomed planned changes to the commission agreed between the British and Irish governments, which he said would help to bring oversight that was missing from the original legislation. He also welcomed the Irish government’s commitment to provide information to the commission. “It is better having the Irish government inside the tent to make this commission work rather than sitting outside and having the option of being the hurler on the ditch” he said.

But when asked if he believed the Dublin government will fully co-operate with the commission, he said the “proof will be in the eating”. “The fact the two governments have now put their trust in the commission will resonate with lots of people, and the fact Ireland is engaging is another positive step. “There are a lot of people who will think this is their last chance to get the truth.”

Sir Declan also revealed he has contacted lawyers acting for the family of Sean Brown to offer the commission’s help. Mr Brown, a 61-year-old father-of-six, was abducted and shot dead by members of the Loyalist Volunteer Force (LVF) as he locked gates at Bellaghy GAA club, County Londonderry, in 1997. His family are seeking a public inquiry into his murder. However the government has sought permission to appeal at the Supreme Court against a previous court ruling compelling it to hold an inquiry into the killing. Sir Declan said: “I indicated that if this case came to us that we would be in a position to carry out a scoping exercise and examine all the material available and to look at whether or not a criminal prosecution was viable.” The Brown family has yet to respond. Sir Declan also warned that he will challenge the government “if it turns out in any way that the state or anyone else stands in our way”, adding that “we will call it out for what it is”.