British government challenge to Clonoe inquest ruling deeply concerning – Mallaghan

Sinn Féin MP Cathal Mallaghan has said it is deeply concerning that the British government is set to challenge an inquest ruling that the SAS murders of four men in Clonoe in 1992 were not justified.

The Mid Ulster MP was speaking after the British Ministry of Defence has issued a pre-action protocol letter to the coroner.

Cathal Mallaghan said:

“It is deeply concerning and disgraceful to learn that the British government is set to challenge the Clonoe inquest ruling that the SAS murders of Kevin Barry O’Donnell, Sean O’Farrell, Peter Clancy and Patrick Vincent in February 1992 were not justified.

“This is yet another cynical attempt by the British government to deny families truth and justice.

“The coroner came to his findings in this case based on the facts. He rightly sent a file to the Public Prosecution Service to take the matter forward.

“This case highlights why families have a preference to have Inquests and Inquiries in their pursuit of justice, as opposed to the ICRIR process, where the British Secretary of State, retains a power of veto, on what may go into a victim’s family report.

“It is essential that our judicial processes are free to carry out their duties independently, free from state interference. 

“The British government must proceed expeditiously to fully ‘repeal and replace’ the Legacy Act, as it committed to do, including the full reinstatement of all inquests, and all the legacy mechanisms agreed in the Stormont House negotiations, in a human rights compliant manner.”