New inquests to be held into the deaths of a civilian and 8 IRA men
New inquests are to be held into the deaths of a civilian and 8 IRA men who died on 8 May 1987 at Loughgall, the Advocate General for Northern Ireland, Jeremy Wright QC has announced.
Jeremy Wright QC MP said:
Following careful consideration of a huge amount of material I have come to the decision that new inquests into the Loughgall deaths are justified. 皇冠体育app new inquests will establish who has died, and how, when and where the death occurred. 皇冠体育app Coroners Service for Northern Ireland will now take this forward.
皇冠体育app Advocate General has today informed the families, the Coroner and the Attorney General for Northern Ireland of his decision.
Material held by the government relevant to the decision whether to open fresh inquests was national security sensitive, which is why the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland 皇冠体育appresa Villiers asked the Advocate General for Northern Ireland to take the decision.
皇冠体育app Advocate General for Northern Ireland is an independent law officer in the same way as the Attorney General for Northern Ireland. He made the decision independent of government.
皇冠体育app matter will now pass to the Coroners Service for Northern Ireland to take forward.