Northern unrest inquiry panel records 85 investigations – The Irish Times

A new body tasked with investigating outstanding cases related to the Northern Ireland conflict has registered 85 inquiries since it began its work at the beginning of the year.

The Independent Commission for Reconciliation and Information (ICRIR) was established by the previous British government’s controversial Legacy Act, which halted numerous civil cases and judicial inquiries into deaths related to the Troubles.

Instead, relatives, victims and certain public authorities can request the ICRIR to conduct an investigation.

However, resistance to the new commission led to protests and claims that access to justice was blocked.

The ICRIR said on Monday that since it began operations in May, it had registered 85 requests from victims, survivors and families about the possibility of an investigation into their injuries or the death of a loved one.

In an update on its work, ICRIR also confirmed that eight of these requests have been accepted for investigation and are in the information recovery phase.

The panel is chaired by retired judge Declan Morgan, a former Lord Chief Justice of Northern Ireland.

The Chief Commissioner said the update “reflects the Commission’s values ​​of openness and accountability and, above all, a focus on helping those who turn to the Commission for answers”.

He said all members of the Commission were committed to following the approach set out in the draft framework to ensure the body delivers on its promises.

“We have now reached a point where people have come forward and expressed their trust in the Commission to pursue their demands. We will now do this in line with our values ​​and core principles,” he said.

“We are moving into the next phase of our work as the serious and important investigative task begins.

“In doing so, we must fulfill the commitments we have made to every person who comes to us, through our open and published policies and our trauma- and resilience-informed model.”

Investigator Peter Sheridan added: “Many of the individuals and families the commission will meet have experienced harm and suffering and may have waited many years to learn more about what they and their loved ones have been through.”

“We are aware of the seriousness of our work and understand that the way we do things is as important as what we do.” – PA