Applause as Brown family arrive for Appeal Court hearing | Breaking News & Latest Ireland Updates

Applause as Brown family arrive for Appeal Court hearing — Northern Correspondent The family of murdered GAA official Sean Brown have been applauded into court as they attend the latest hearing in their long l...

Northern Correspondent

The family of murdered GAA official Sean Brown have been applauded into court as they attend the latest hearing in their long legal battle.

Mr Brown's 87-year-old widow, Bridie, was flanked by members of her family as they arrived at the Court of Appeal in Belfast.

Northern Ireland First Minister Michelle O'Neill and Sinn Féin leader Mary Lou McDonald were among those who walked with the Brown family as they approached the court building.

The hearing will focus on the UK government's response to a court ruling that found it was acting unlawfully in failing to order a public inquiry.

On Wednesday, Northern Ireland Secretary Hilary Benn sought leave for a Supreme Court appeal in the case.

The move has been heavily criticised by the Brown family and their supporters.

Read More:Brown family 'disappointed' by UK move to appeal inquiry - solicitorO'Neill calls UK govt decision to appeal Brown ruling 'cruel'Public inquiry into Sean Brown murder needed without delay, NI Court of Appeal says

Mr Benn said he was also asking the Court of Appeal for more time to consider its ruling that a public inquiry was the only available option for a proper investigation.

It will respond to that call this morning.

Mr Brown, 61, the chairman of Bellaghy Wolfe Tones GAA club in Co Derry, was ambushed, kidnapped and murdered by loyalist paramilitaries as he locked the gates of the club in May 1997.

No-one has ever been convicted of his killing.

Preliminary inquest proceedings last year heard that in excess of 25 people had been linked by intelligence to the murder, including several state agents.

It had also been alleged in court that surveillance of a suspect in the murder was temporarily stopped on the evening of the killing, only to resume again the following morning.

Additional reporting PA