Judges to hear inquests into Troubles-related killings

Justice Minister David Ford said assigning judges will speed up inquests

Northern Ireland's justice minister has assigned judges to hear inquests into some of the most controversial Troubles-related killings.

David Ford told MLAs that he hoped the move would result in matters proceeding speedily, and more efficiently.

He said: "This will benefit those who have been seeking a full, proper inquest, as they would see it, for some time."

At present, there are 53 legacy inquests relating to 86 deaths.

They include the IRA murder of 10 Protestant workmen at Kingsmill, County Armagh, in 1976.

Legacy inquests also include the killing of 10 people in Ballymurphy in 1971, the abduction and murder of GAA official Sean Brown 18 years ago, and the 1997 loyalist shooting of doorman Seamus Dillon.

An inquest into the 1994 murder of pensioner Roseann Mallon has already been assigned, but has stalled for legal reasons.

Northern Ireland's senior coroner John Leckey is retiring later this year and no replacement has been appointed.

The current County Court complement of judges is to be increased and Lord Chief Justice Sir Declan Morgan will assume the role of president of the Coroners Court.

David Ford told MLAs the move, part of the Stormont House, Agreement, would relieve pressure on the system.

The agreement, signed by the five main parties before Christmas, proposed to address the legacy of the 40-year conflict through the creation of a number of new agencies.

The new Historical Investigations Unit, which will re-examine unsolved Troubles killings, is expected to be operational by next summer and a new chief is due to take up post by December, MLAs were told.