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Hamill public hearings to begin Hamill public hearings under way
(about 7 hours later)
The inquiry into the murder of Portadown man Robert Hamill will begin its public hearings on Tuesday. The public inquiry into the murder of Portadown man Robert Hamill has got underway in Belfast.
Mr Hamill, a Catholic, died after being attacked by a loyalist mob in the County Armagh town on 11 April 1997.Mr Hamill, a Catholic, died after being attacked by a loyalist mob in the County Armagh town on 11 April 1997.
It has been claimed that four RUC police officers watched as the attack on the 25-year-old took place and failed to intervene. It has been claimed that four RUC police officers watched as the 25-year-old was attacked and failed to intervene.
The inquiry will investigate those allegations and whether the police were in any way responsible for his death.The inquiry will investigate those allegations and whether the police were in any way responsible for his death.
It will also examine claims that police officers tried to obstruct the investigation into the murder.It will also examine claims that police officers tried to obstruct the investigation into the murder.
The role of the Director of Public Prosecutions will also be examined. In his opening remark Ashley Underwood, senior counsel to the inquiry, suggested allegations of conspiracy, by someone within the RUC, to obstruct the investigation.
The inquiry, which has already cost nearly £19m, was established more than four years ago. He also said that one of the officers advised a suspect to destroy items of clothing that he was wearing during the attack.
Arriving at the inquiry, Mr Hamill's sister Diane said: "We Just want to find out the answer to why our brother wasn't allowed to walk home and why he wasn't protected by four armed RUC officers - the forces of the state that are in place to look after and protect us, why they didn't do that.
"And why the people that we believe murdered my brother are still walking the streets today and weren't prosecuted."
In a public statement before the inquiry got under way, chairman Sir Edwin Jowitt said the volume of work was "very considerable".
He said among the 230 witnesses interviewed were former police officers who had applied for anonymity.
"It is our hope that our work in this inquiry may do a little to help people to look forward with hope," said Sir Edwin.
The inquiry was established more than four years ago and to date has cost almost £19m.
Since then, lawyers have interviewed more than 230 possible witnesses and gathered over 20,000 documents.Since then, lawyers have interviewed more than 230 possible witnesses and gathered over 20,000 documents.
The inquiry team has said it hoped to present its final report to the Secretary of State by June next year.The inquiry team has said it hoped to present its final report to the Secretary of State by June next year.