Cecilia Keaveney
Question:150 Cecilia Keaveney asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the position in relation to a murder inquiry (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11558/01]
Written Answers - Murder Inquiries.
Rosemary Nelson was brutally murdered in a car-bomb attack in Lurgan on 15 March 1999. This murder was an attack on a dedicated and committed defence lawyer and human rights defender. It also represented a fundamental assault on the legal system itself. On 29 March 1999, the Deputy Chief Constable of Norfolk, Colin Port, was appointed to lead the investigation into her murder, an investigation which is still ongoing. Colin Port has made several public appeals for information and made arrangements to be contactable directly. In March 2000, the Port investigation team arrested a former soldier of the Royal Irish Regiment who was subsequently convicted of a charge, unrelated to Rosemary Nelson's murder, of storing weapons and sentenced to nine years in prison.
The Government acknowledges the great effort which the Port investigative team has made and hopes it will succeed in bringing the perpetrators to justice. However, the Government recognises that Rosemary Nelson's case raises wider issues of concern to her family, to the public and to the international community. This is reflected in the great number of calls, both nationally and internationally, for a public inquiry into the circumstances surrounding her death. The Taoiseach met members of Rosemary Nelson's family on 20 February 2001, and after the meeting, called for the establishment of a public inquiry into the murder.
In his report to the 57th Session of the UN Commission on Human Rights, held this month, the special rapporteur on the independence of judges and lawyers, Param Cumaraswamy, for the first time called for a "judicial commission of inquiry" into the murder of Rosemary Nelson. The Government welcomed his call for a commission of inquiry and reiterated the Government's call for a public inquiry into the murder.
Officials from my Department remain in close contact with the British authorities in relation to the investigation. They also maintain close contact with human rights organisations, both at home and abroad, with members of Rosemary Nelson's family and with other interested parties. The Government shares with all of these organisations the fervent hope that the perpetrators of Rosemary Nelson's murder will be brought to justice as soon as possible.
Cecilia Keaveney
Question:151 Cecilia Keaveney asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the position in relation to a murder inquiry (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11559/01]
Robert Hamill died on 8 May 1997, following an attack in Portadown. RUC officers were in the vicinity at the time. In 1997, six people were charged in connection with his murder, five of whom were released. One person was convicted of causing an affray but not murder. Following an RUC investigation into the actions of RUC officers on the night in question, which was supervised by the Independent Commission for Police Complaints, the DPP decided not to proceed with the prosecution of any of the RUC officers involved.
The Taoiseach met with members of the Hamill family on 8 June 2000 and afterwards stated that the case was of urgent public interest and that the issues of concern involved must be resolved in a manner which would command the confidence of the community through an independent, judicial public inquiry. On 24 November 2000, the Police Ombudsman took over "direct and active" supervision of the police disciplinary investigation. She said that she would "dedicate all the necessary resources to ensure that all avenues are investigated, exposed and exploited" in this "very sensitive" case.
The Hamill family met with the then Secretary of State on 2 October 2000 and with Prime Minister Blair in Belfast on 18 January 2001, where they discussed developments in the case. After meeting the Prime Minister, the family said that they felt a public inquiry would eventually be established.
On 10 April 2001, the Ombudsman announced that seven people had been arrested in connection with her investigation. They were released without charge on police bail the next day. Her investigation is ongoing. The family issued a statement, welcoming the arrests but repeating their call for a public inquiry.
The Government continues to monitor closely developments in Mr. Hamill's case and to pursue its concerns actively with the British authorities.