Money is released for Troubles inquest backlog

This afternoon, the Department of Justice (DoJ) has announced funding for dealing with the backlog of Troubles legacy cases – including many concerning the deaths of paramilitaries.
By The Newsroom
Published 28th Feb 2019, 13:02 BST
Updated 1st Mar 2019, 11:15 BST
Paramilitaries make up a significant number of the deaths which are now to be examined in detail in coroners' courtsParamilitaries make up a significant number of the deaths which are now to be examined in detail in coroners' courts
Paramilitaries make up a significant number of the deaths which are now to be examined in detail in coroners' courts

It is a move which the Lord Chief Justice had called for in 2016, but which will likely anger some victims campaigners, given the high number of terrorists in the backlog whose deaths (often at the hands of security services) will now be subject to intense scrutiny.

See this story: Terrorists make up over one third of slated Troubles inquest deaths

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The DoJ said it was adopting a “new model” for inquests, and that this would cost an estimated “£55 million over six years”.

The funding for legacy inquests formed part of the discussions on the overall Budget for 2019-20, which was revealed by the Secretary of State Karen Bradley today.

The DoJ added: “The announcement of the Budget outcome today will allow this work to proceed in 2019-20. It is expected that funding requirements will be updated annually and considered as part of the local budget process.”

In a statement, Peter May, Permanent Secretary of the DoJ, said: “The delays in progressing legacy inquests have been unacceptable to families involved and to the justice system.”

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The DoJ added: “A new Legacy Inquest Unit will be set up within the Coroners Service to process legacy inquests, under the remit of the Lord Chief Justice as President of Coroners Courts.

“The unit will be supported by increased capacity in PSNI, the Public Prosecution Service and other justice agencies.

“The six-year timescale for the initiative reflects the need to build up capacity and the complexity of the outstanding legacy inquest cases.”

The DoJ believes it should be possible to complete the current caseload of 52 legacy inquests involving 93 deaths within a five-year period.

News Letter investigation – Revealed: the terrorists whose inquests you are paying for – sometimes twice

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