Troubles investigation group makes first witness appeal

Teresa Carson and William Marchant

An investigations body set up under the controversial Legacy Act has appealed for witnesses over two separate deaths during the Troubles.

It is the first public appeal for information by the Independent Commission for Reconciliation and Information Recovery (ICRIR) since it began operating in May 2024.

Teresa Carson, 47, was found dead at a roadside in west Belfast in 1974.

William Marchant, a member of the UVF, died aged 39 after being shot by the IRA in Belfast in 1987.

Posters and leaflet drops will be organised as part of the appeals for witnesses.

ICRIR assistant commissioner Amanda Logan said any information would be treated in the "strictest confidence" and could be "vital to finding the truth for the families".

"We have always underlined the commission's unwavering commitment to helping families find the unvarnished truth and this is at the centre of our witness appeals," she said.

"These families have waited many years for answers and we at the commission are committed to doing everything we can to support them."

What is the ICRIR?

The ICRIR was established to investigate deaths during Northern Ireland's decades-long conflict known as the Troubles.

But some victims' groups have called for it to be scrapped, arguing it is not sufficiently independent.

The body was set up under the Northern Ireland Troubles (Legacy and Reconciliation) Act.

The legislation was passed by the Conservative government in 2023 despite opposition from Labour, Stormont parties, several victims' groups and the Irish government.

It introduced a ban on inquests and civil actions related to incidents during the Troubles.

Amanda Logan said any information could be "vital to finding the truth"

The act's most controversial element - the offer of conditional immunity to suspects in exchange for co-operating with the ICRIR - was disapplied following legal action by bereaved families.

The Labour government plans to repeal the Legacy Act, but retain the ICRIR.

Northern Ireland Secretary Hilary Benn described this as a "pragmatic decision".

The ICRIR has said that as of July, 200 people had approached the commission to begin investigations.

About 30 cases so far have been listed on its website as moving to an "information recovery" phase.

Hilary Benn, Secretary of State for Northern Ireland

Who was Teresa Carson?

Teresa Carson was found dead in the early hours of 24 November 1974 at the side of the Glen Road in west Belfast, close to the junction with Shaws Road.

It is believed the 47-year-old attended St John's Gaelic Athletic Club Social Club on Whiterock Road the previous evening and was a witness to a robbery at the club.

She was last seen in the grounds of the club shortly after midnight on 24 November getting into a white car.

Who was William Marchant?

The scene outside the offices of the Progressive Unionist Party in 1987

William Marchant, known to his family as Billy and more widely as Frenchie, was a leading member of loyalist paramilitary group the UVF.

He was shot by the IRA outside the offices of the Progressive Unionist Party on the Shankill Road in west Belfast on 28 April 1987.

The 39-year-old later died at the Mater Hospital.

A brown Datsun Bluebird car with the registration YOI 2557 was used in the attack.

The car had been hijacked earlier in the day after a family was held at gunpoint overnight at Tullymore Gardens in west Belfast.

It is believed to have been driven away from the scene on Shankill Road via Bellevue Street and was found on fire later that evening on Springfield Avenue.