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Northern Ireland: Foster decision on inquests 'unlawful and flawed'

12 March 2018

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Northern Ireland  
Foster decision on inquests 'unlawful and flawed'
12.3.18
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"A judge has ruled that Arlene Foster's decision to block funding for the lord chief justice's plan for legacy inquests was unlawful and flawed.

He said the former first minister was wrong to think she could postpone the decision until after political agreement on dealing with the past.

However, Sir Paul Girvan said it was unlikely money would have been released if discussed by the executive.

This was due to failings in the paper supplied by the Justice Department."

See: Foster decision on inquests 'unlawful and flawed' (BBC News, link)

And: Arlene Foster: Legal ruling a stinging rebuke for embattled DUP leader(The Irish News, link)

"EMBATTLED DUP leader Arlene Foster yesterday suffered a stinging rebuke as a High Court judge ruled that she had unlawfully blocked a funding plan for legacy inquests.

Sir Paul Girvan's damning ruling is the latest setback for the former first minister, whose role in collapsing the Stormont talks last month has since faced intense scrutiny.

(...)

Ruling on a legal challenge brought by Brigid Hughes, the widow of Anthony Hughes an innocent civilian shot dead in 1987 along with eight IRA men at Loughgall in Co Armagh, the judge said the DUP leader was wrong to think she could delay the decision on inquest funds until after political agreement on dealing with the past."

See: Summary of judgment: Judicial Communications Office: Court delivers judgment on funding for legacy inquests (8 March 2018, pdf)

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