Key security and political figures are to called as witnesses at the public
inquiry into the murder of solicitor Rosemary Nelson.
The inquiry, which opens in Craigavon Civic Centre, Co Armagh, on Tuesday,
is expected to run for over a year. It will consider allegations that
security force elements colluded in her murder through acts of omission or
commission.
The inquiry team, headed by retired High Court judge Sir Michael Morland,
has yet to announce a witness list.
However, a human rights' group told the Sunday Tribune it will most likely
include ex-RUC Chief Constable, Sir Ronnie Flanagan and former Northern
Secretary, Mo Mowlam.
The North's former security minister, Adam Ingram, is also expected to be
called. Human rights' organisations had written to all three, warning that
police officers had allegedly made death threats against Nelson, and that
her life was in danger.
Campaigners claim neither the police nor British government took adequate
steps to protect her. Nelson (40) was killed when a bomb, triggered by a
mercury tilt switch, exploded under her car in March 1999.
The murder was claimed by the fringe loyalist group, the Red Hand Defenders,
which had previously never made anything more sophisticated than a pipe
bomb.
The murder gang is believed to have included two Special Branch informers
and a then serving British soldier.
Nelson clashed with the authorities when representing Garvaghy Road
residents, Robert Hamill's family, and prominent local republicans.
Nelson's brother, Eunan Magee, told the Sunday Tribune his family was
approaching the inquiry with "hope rather than faith".
Representatives from the Government, British-Irish Rights Watch, and the
North's leading human rights' group, the Committee on the Administration of
Justice (CAJ), will attend Tuesday's hearing.
British-Irish Rights' Watch director, Jane Winter, said: "I expect Ronnie
Flanagan, Mo Mowlam, and Adam Ingram to be called as witnesses.
"Ronnie Flanagan was dismissive when we wrote to him highlighting the
dangers facing Rosemary. We wrote to Mo Mowlam several times and never
received any meaningful response.
"There appears to have been a complete lack of interest in Rosemary's
situation by police and government. Nobody lifted a finger to help her. It
will be interesting to hear the explanations given."
The CAJ's Maggie O'Connor said: "Rosemary Nelson was a valued member of the
CAJ executive. We hope that her family will finally receive justice through
this inquiry."
After Tuesday's opening, the tribunal will adjourn for around six months
during which it will continue to gather documents and take witness
statements.
It has the power to subpoena witnesses and compel the disclosure of
documents. Bar exceptional circumstances, proceedings will be in public.
Nelson's family have "full participant status" and their lawyers should be
able to question key witnesses.
Sir Michael's co-tribunal members are Dame Valerie Strachan, former Chairman
of the Board of Customs and Excise, and Sir Anthony Burden, former Chief
Constable of South Wales Police.
Despite their establishment backgrounds, British-Irish Rights' Watch praised
their actions: "So far, they've done a thorough and fair job, consulting
widely. But we won't really know how good they are until we've witnessed
them fully in operation and seen their final report."
