Vol. 521 No. 3
41 Mr. Hogan asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if he will report on the representations the Government has made concerning the urgent need for an independent judicial inquiry into the murder of a person (details supplied). [16929/00]
47 Cecilia Keaveney asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the current position in relation to the case of a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16863/00]
57 Mrs. B. Moynihan-Cronin asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if the Government has raised with the British authorities the decision not to hold an inquest into the death of a person (details supplied) in controversial circumstances in May 1997 in Portadown; the response, if any, received; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16840/00]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 41, 47 and 57 together.
Robert Hamill died on 8 May 1997 following an attack in Portadown. RUC officers were in the vicinity at the time. Six people were charged in 1997 with his murder, but the charges in relation to five were dropped before they came to trial. One was convicted on 25 March 1999 for the offence of causing an affray and not of murder. The Independent Commission for Police Complaints supervised the RUC investigation into the actions of the RUC officers on the night in question, following which a report was sent to the DPP. On 30 September 1999, the DPP decided not to proceed with the prosecution of any RUC officer. The question of possible disciplinary action against the police officers in question is currently being considered. The RUC file on the case remains open.
On 7 June last, the Coroner for Greater Belfast announced that he would not be holding an inquest in this case because of concerns for the safety of certain witnesses. The coroner, stated that their lives would be put in danger if their evidence were to be presented to an inquest but that, without their evidence, a seriously incomplete account of the circumstances of Mr Hamill's death would be given. In these circumstances, he took the view that no useful purpose would be served by holding an inquest.
Since 1997, the Government's concerns about the Hamill case have been actively pursued with the British authorities, both at official and at Ministerial level. In October 1999, the Government's disappointment at the DPP's decision and the widespread and deep concern that exists about this case was conveyed to the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland by my predecessor.
The Hamill case and the coroner's decision were discussed at the meeting between the Taoiseach and the Prime Minister, Mr. Blair, in London on 7 June last. The following day, the Taoiseach met members of the Hamill family. Afterwards, the Taoiseach stated that the Hamill case was a matter of urgent public interest and that the issues of concern involved must be addressed in a manner which would command the confidence of the community, through an independent, judicial public inquiry.
