Heads of NI collusion probes named
The names of the judges to head inquiries into three controversial killings in Northern Ireland were announced by the British government today.
Sir Michael Morland, a retired member of the High Court of England and Wales will take charge of the investigation into the loyalist murder of human rights lawyer Rosemary Nelson.
Lord MacLean of the Court of Session of Scotland will chair the inquiry into the murder of LVF leader Billy Wright.
Sir Edwin Jowitt, a retired member of the High Court of England and Wales will head up the probe into the murder of Robert Hamill, a Catholic kicked to death by loyalists in Portadown, Co. Armagh in April 1997.
The investigations followed reports prepared for the British government by the retired Canadian Judge Peter Cory who investigated allegations of collusion by members of the security forces into the killings, and the murder of Belfast solicitor Pat Finucane.
Northern Ireland Secretary Paul Murphy, who also announced panel members for the inquiries, said the investigation would begin as soon as possible.
He said: “The terms of reference have been deliberately drawn to allow the inquiries to consider the allegations of collusion that have been made in these cases, and also the issue of possible negligence.”
Rosemary Nelson was killed when a bomb exploded under her car outside her home in Lurgan, Co Armagh in March 1999.
Billy Wright was shot dead inside the Maze Prison in December 1997.
