O'Neill calls UK decision to appeal Brown ruling 'cruel' | Breaking News & Latest Ireland Updates

O'Neill calls UK decision to appeal Brown ruling 'cruel' — Northern Correspondent Northern Ireland's First Minister has said the British government's decision to appeal a court ruling that a public inquiry sho...

Northern Correspondent

Northern Ireland's First Minister has said the British government's decision to appeal a court ruling that a public inquiry should be held into the murder of Sean Brown was "cruel and inhumane".

The UK government is set to appeal the ruling to the UK's Supreme Court in London.

It is understood the GAA club official's family is "disgusted" at the latest development, but will be making no public comment at this time.

Sinn Féin's Michelle O'Neill said the decision was an "affront to the basic principles of truth and justice that Keir Starmer’s government is threatening to once again drag Bridie Brown and her family back to court".

She said the British government "seems hellbent" on denying the Brown family a public inquiry.

"These cruel actions undermine public confidence in the administration of justice," she said.

"This once again demonstrates the British government's intent to deny families access to truth and justice, while attempting to force them into engaging with the discredited ICRIR."

Tánaiste Simon Harris said the Brown family "have waited too long to find out the truth of what happened to Sean Brown".

"We are approaching the 28th anniversary of his murder," they said.

"In the absence of an effective investigation into his death - which the UK government agrees has not yet taken place - the passage of time makes this increasingly pressing."

"Bridie Brown has shown enormous strength in pursuing this case through every available channel," they added.

"The Tánaiste raised the Sean Brown case in his very first engagement with the Secretary of State upon taking office, and will continue to use every opportunity to do so."

SDLP leaders calls decision 'appalling'

Meanwhile, SDLP Leader Claire Hanna said the decision to challenge the court ruling was "appalling".

The South Belfast and Mid Down MP said to deny the Brown family the chance to get the answers they need "is simply wrong and it’s disgraceful that the UK Government continues to prioritise keeping secrets for those responsible for murder over the rights of victims and their families".

Northern Secretary Hilary Benn said he would also seek to provide a "comprehensive response" to questions posed to him by Northern Ireland's Court of Appeal, but he needed more time.

At the beginning of April,Northern Ireland's Court of Appeal said an inquiry should be established without further delay.

In her judgment, Chief Justice Siobhan Keegan said the UK government had remained in continuous breach of a human rights obligation to effectively probe the full extent of state collusion in the 1997 murder.

Outside the court Mr Brown's 87-year-old widow Bridie said: "Mr Benn, five judges have told you what to do. Do the right thing and don't have me going to London."

She had taken the court case to force the British government to establish a public inquiry into her husband's murder.

The Court of Appeal gave Mr Benn four weeks to decide how to respond to its ruling. That grace period was due to elapse in the coming days.

'Comprehensive response' needed, says Benn

Mr Benn said the Court of Appeal judgment required a "comprehensive response" and he had asked for an extension to the grace period so he could provide it.

He said: "The murder of Sean Brown in 1997 was despicable, and his death caused great suffering and pain to his family, his wife, Bridie, and the community and I know that the length of time it has taken to provide them with the answers they have been searching for has added to that pain.

"As I have said before, I am determined that there will be a full, thorough and independent investigation into Mr Brown's murder which complies with our human rights obligations.

"However, the Court of Appeal judgment requires a detailed and comprehensive response, and I have today asked the court for more time to provide this because I need advice from officials so that I can answer all of the questions that the court has put to me.

"I have also asked the court today, given the impending deadline for leave to appeal to the Supreme Court in case that were proved to be necessary, and despite all of this, nothing will prevent the government from implementing its promise to repeal and replace the legacy act so we can put in place mechanisms for investigating what happened that can command confidence across all communities in Northern Ireland."

Mr Brown, a 61-year-old father of six, was abducted by a Loyalist Volunteer Force gang as he locked the gates at Bellaghy Wolfe Tones GAA Club in Co Derry.

He was bundled into the boot of his car, taken to Randalstown, Co Antrim, and shot dead.

No one has been convicted of his murder.

In the course of a now discontinued inquest it emerged that state agents were among 25 people linked by intelligence to his murder.

Mr Benn had resisted the call for a public inquiry and suggested that the Brown family engage with a new body established under the UK's controversial Legacy Act.

The Labour government promised to repeal and replace the act, which was drawn up under the previous Conservative government.

But it wants to retain the Independent Commission on Reconciliation and Information Recovery which will handle all Troubles cases.

Mr Benn had urged the Brown family to engage with the ICRIR.

But the Court of Appeal ruled that the commission had insufficient powers to properly investigate Mr Brown's murder and was not equipped to deal with the kind of sensitive material likely to be produced to it.

Mrs Justice Keegan said a public inquiry under the 2005 inquiries Act was the only vehicle currently on the statute book which could properly resolve the case.