Lawyers for the families of two Catholic men shot by British security forces in Northern Ireland have attended the House of Lords to challenge the manner in which the inquests into their deaths should proceed.Hugh Jordon, whose son Pearse was unarmed when he was shot in the back by a British soldier in November 1992, is seeking to secure changes to the inquests system to permit a jury in Northern Ireland to return a verdict of unlawful killing.
Owen McCaughey, whose son was shot dead in October 1990 by an undercover SAS Unit, is hoping to force the Chief Constable to produce key documents including intelligence reports relevant to the death of his son and the report of the RUC’s investigating officer.
Solicitor for both parties, Peter Madden, pictured, said: “The decision of the House of Lords will have profound implications for the manner in which inquests shall be conducted by coroners in Northern Ireland.“We hope that the outcome of these further challenges will enable the families to have access to all relevant documents and permit the jury to return a verdict of excessive force and unlawful killing, in protection of the families legitimate interests, the public interest and in a manner which is compatible with Article 2 of the European Convention.”