Victim's dad loses inquest fight

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The father of a murdered teenager has said he is angry a full inquest will not be held into the murder of his son.

David McIlwaine, 18, was stabbed to death and mutilated along with Andrew Robb, 19, near Tandragee in 2000.

In 2003, Paul Mc Ilwaine was granted an order to have police files and witness statements on the killings released.

But the appeal court said the Human Rights Act was not in force at the time and overturned the order compelling the coroner to hold a full inquest.

Mr McIlwaine said he was frustrated that what he believed was a chance to have vital questions answered was now blocked.

"The deaths pre-dated the introduction of the Human Rights Act by eight months. If David had been murdered that November we would have had a proper investigative inquest," he said.

"These were two of the most horrific murders and this certainly is not justice. But it is not the fault of the judges or the legal profession, it is the legislation and those making the changes to the legislation."

Friday's appeal court judgment was delivered a week after the trial of two men accused of the murders was adjourned after one of the alleged killers indicated he may be prepared to give evidence against his co-accused.