Taoiseach must press British Prime Minister for public inquiry into Sean Brown murder – O’Neill

Leas Uachtarán Shinn Féin Michelle O’Neill has today written to Taoiseach Micheál Martin urging him to make urgent representation to the British Prime Minister to direct a public inquiry without any further delay.

This follows yesterday’s decision by the British government to announce it is seeking leave to appeal the decision to the British Supreme Court.

In the letter, Ms O’Neill said this ‘has created real anger with the Brown Family and the wider community’. She added, ‘how this decision was communicated via a press conference at Westminster by Hilary Benn is totally unacceptable’.

Delivering her remarks at the Court of Appeal in April, Lady Chief Justice Siobhan Keegan said that it was ‘a shocking state of affairs’ that there had been no ‘lawful inquiry into the circumstances’ of the murder. And she said ‘the decision to refuse a public inquiry cannot stand and is unlawful and in breach of Article 2 obligations’. 

“The approach of the British government is disgraceful and compounds the hurt and distress on the Brown family,” said Michelle O’Neill.

“My thoughts are with Bridie Brown and her family who have already waited far too long for truth, justice and accountability.

“I have written to the Taoiseach urging him to urgently make representation to the British Prime Minister to direct a public inquiry without any further delay.”