Legacy Act transfers cases to new body

The Legacy Act has brought in new powers to end historical inquests relating to the Troubles and transfer cases to a new body.

The Northern Ireland Troubles (Legacy and Reconciliation) Act became law in September and created a a new body known as the Independent Commission for Reconciliation and Information Recovery (ICRIR). The ICRIR will take over all Troubles-era cases from 1 May, including those that are already with the PSNI.

This means all historical inquests have been shut down and new civil cases will not be lodged in court.

The ICRIR will accept requests for investigations into UK-wide incidents in which people were killed or seriously injured between 1 January 1966 and 10 April 1998. Cases can be logged by families or victims. The ICRIR is headed by Sir Declan Morgan and will have police powers. This means that in theory, there can be prosecutions.

The act previously included the offer of conditional immunity to suspects, but this has been disapplied.

The Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, Chris Heaton-Harris, has welcomed the establishment of the ICRIR. He said: “It is very welcome news that the Commission can now proceed to conduct reviews on behalf of families and provide vital information about Troubles-related cases.

“Individuals and families now have access to a dedicated, well resourced, and effective mechanism to take forward the task of reviewing their case. I encourage all those who continue to seek information, accountability and acknowledgement regarding what happened to them or their loved ones to engage wholeheartedly with the ICRIR.

“In establishing the independent Commission, we are doing something that has eluded successive Governments since 1998. That is, delivering robust and effective mechanisms for addressing the legacy of the past, and providing more information and answers to families.”  

However, all Northern Ireland politicians at Stormont and Westminster have opposed it and Labour have pledged changes should they be elected.

Some Troubles victims groups are also in opposition with relatives protesting at the Northern Ireland Office headquarters in Belfast on Wednesday.