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Coroner John Leckey 'to lift suspension' of Troubles inquests | Coroner John Leckey 'to lift suspension' of Troubles inquests |
(about 1 hour later) | |
It is expected that Northern Ireland's senior coroner will lift the suspension that he imposed on inquests into 21 controversial Troubles killings. | It is expected that Northern Ireland's senior coroner will lift the suspension that he imposed on inquests into 21 controversial Troubles killings. |
The majority of cases involve people who were killed by the Army in the 1970s. | The majority of cases involve people who were killed by the Army in the 1970s. |
Mr Leckey suspended the hearings in November, citing potential national security concerns. | Mr Leckey suspended the hearings in November, citing potential national security concerns. |
However, some of the families of those who died launched a legal challenge against the coroner's suspension. | However, some of the families of those who died launched a legal challenge against the coroner's suspension. |
According to the investigative website, the Detail, Mr Leckey is expected to confirm on Monday that he will no longer contest the families' challenge against the suspension. | According to the investigative website, the Detail, Mr Leckey is expected to confirm on Monday that he will no longer contest the families' challenge against the suspension. |
The 21 inquests include the deaths of 11 people shot dead by the Army in west Belfast over a three-day period in Ballymurphy, west Belfast in 1971. | The 21 inquests include the deaths of 11 people shot dead by the Army in west Belfast over a three-day period in Ballymurphy, west Belfast in 1971. |
The cases also include the death of Belfast schoolboy, Francis Rowntree. The 11-year-old was playing with his friends in west Belfast in 1972 when he was fatally injured by a rubber bullet fired by a soldier. | The cases also include the death of Belfast schoolboy, Francis Rowntree. The 11-year-old was playing with his friends in west Belfast in 1972 when he was fatally injured by a rubber bullet fired by a soldier. |
Fresh inquests into the 21 killings were ordered last year by Northern Ireland's top lawyer, Attorney General John Larkin. | |
However, Mr Leckey said that he believed Mr Larkin may have exceeded his powers and may not have had the legal authority to order the new inquests. | However, Mr Leckey said that he believed Mr Larkin may have exceeded his powers and may not have had the legal authority to order the new inquests. |
The coroner adjourned the inquests on 15 November 2012. | The coroner adjourned the inquests on 15 November 2012. |
Mr Leckey then referred the matter to Northern Ireland Secretary of State Theresa Villiers to seek clarification, as national security issues are not devolved from Westminster. | |
Representatives for the families said some of them had waited more than 40 years for fresh inquests into their loved one's deaths and were very upset by the blanket suspension. | Representatives for the families said some of them had waited more than 40 years for fresh inquests into their loved one's deaths and were very upset by the blanket suspension. |