Latest news with #BloodySundayInquiry
Irish Independent
2 days ago
- Politics
- Irish Independent
Mayo barrister leads defence team for Kneecap at UK court
Blinne Ní Ghrálaigh, originally from Mayo, is part of the defence team for Liam Óg Ó hAnnaidh after he was charged under the UKs Terrorism Act last month Coimisiún na Meán Today at 11:24 The trial of Mr Liam Óg Ó hAnnaidh, better known by his stage name Mo Chara, began at Westminster Magistrates' Court this morning. Kneecap's frontman was charged in May of this year under UK terrorism offences. This came after a video of him appeared online, where he was seen to display a Hezbollah flag during a concert at the Kentish Town Forum on the 21st of November 2024. Leading up his defence team is Mayo-born Barrister Blinne Ní Ghrálaigh. Originally from Glencalry in north Mayo, Ms Ní Ghrálaigh specialises in protest law, international law, civil liberties and human rights. She has an extensive background and is called to the Bars in the Republic of Ireland, Northern Ireland, England and Wales. She is part of Matrix, a barristers chamber in London, and also sits on the International Criminal Court's List of Counsel. Ms Ní Ghrálaigh spent her early years in the town of Glencalry before her family moved to London. A passionate advocate for human rights, this is not her first high-profile court case. She was part of the Palestinian delegation at the ICC, and spoke at the Hauge in April of this year where she stated that Israel had turned Gaza into an, 'uninhabitable wasteland, incapable of sustaining human life'. Ní Ghrálaigh's work in law began prior to her qualifying for the bar, when she worked as part of the legal team representing families of those killed in the Bloody Sunday Inquiry. She is a powerful advocate for human rights and has been described by the Legal 500 as 'a very impressive, intelligent, talented and fearless barrister', who is, 'one of the leading silks of her generation in this area' Mr Ó hAnnaidh's case has gathered a huge amount of attention. Turning up to Westminster Magistrates' court this morning, he was greeted by a crowd of cheering demonstrators waving a mix of Irish tricolour flags, Palestinian flags, and placards reading 'Defend Kneecap, Drop the Charges, Freedom for Palestine'. As the defendant made his way into court, he had to force his way through the supportive assemblage who were chanting 'Free free Palestine' and 'Free Mo Chara now'. The 27-year-old denies the terrorism charge and has branded it as an act of 'political policing'. Kneecap states that the Hezbollah flag was thrown on stage and that they do not endorse the terrorist group. This article has been funded by the Local Democracy Reporting Scheme.
BBC News
11-02-2025
- Business
- BBC News
Troubles legacy cost £601m so far, think tank says
The cost of dealing with the legacy of the Troubles in Northern Ireland has reached at least £601m, a right-wing think tank Exchange, a critic of the government's legacy policies, says future costs could amount to a further £ biggest estimated future cost is £514m for a payment scheme for people bereaved in the Troubles.A bereavement scheme is not currently a Northern Ireland Executive policy as there is political division over who should qualify. The figures from the Policy Exchange think tank are based on 2024 prices and includes money already spent on inquiries, inquests, court cases and also estimates that the ongoing cost of legacy issues is anywhere from £238m - £739m. Future figures 'entirely speculative' There are caveats with the report's more than £2bn projected past and future cost breaks down into roughly £1bn previous spend and £1bn forecast previous spend includes the Bloody Sunday Inquiry from 2010, the cost of which has been increased by about £100m by building in inflation and converting it to 2024 report also includes aspects of police, Northern Ireland Office and Police Ombudsman budgets, which it could be argued is necessary spending and a £514m proposal for bereavement payments, which has not been approved and is not in Stormont's programme for Northern Ireland Executive has been asked for report's authors have also estimated the future cost of the Omagh Bombing Inquiry and the public inquiry into the killing of Pat Finucane, as well as potential compensation to former Sinn Féin leader Gerry Adams, which the government has not yet approved.A UK government spokesperson told BBC News NI: "We do not recognise the basis of the figures for any future costs in this report, which are entirely speculative." 'Legalist approach' The think tank has criticised the government for repealing parts of the previous administration's Legacy a foreword to the paper, former Conservative Chancellor Jeremy Hunt says: "If the additional sums being committed by this government to legacy matters were genuinely helping to bring about peace and reconciliation, the country would pay them cheerfully."But there is scant evidence that this is the case; indeed, scant evidence that such factors are even being considered. "Rather, the approach to legacy appears at times to be being dictated by a maximalist approach to legalism, without regard to the underlying benefits or costs." 'Nobody takes cost into account' One of the authors of the report is historian and former Ulster Unionist councillor Jeffrey Dudgeon."Part of the problem now is that judges are ordering inquiries that will cost enormous amounts of money and they don't get asked in advance who will pay for the inquiry," Mr Dudgeon told the Good Morning Ulster programme."In England, judges have to take costs into account and here I've never been aware of any judicial inquiry being costed in advance."They've become politically motivated, they're not actually about the needs of bereaved families and the truth."He added: "Nobody takes cost into account in Northern Ireland, possibly because other people are going to have to pay for it." 'The reality of amnesties' Mr Dudgeon said he understood the idea of amnesties was hurtful for he said there had been few convictions for Troubles offences over the last 25 years."None of the political parties offered an alternative to the Legacy Act," he said"It's a standard act of government to put the past behind us and try and move forward."People are frightened here in Northern Ireland by the reality of amnesties."A UK government spokesperson told BBC News NI they are "committed to addressing the suffering of victims and survivors of the Troubles" in a way that is human rights compliant and proportionate. "The previous government set aside £250m over five years for the independent Commission and other legacy mechanisms and this government remains committed to that figure," they UK government is examining "all conceivable options" to lawfully address any potential compensation claims relating to historic Interim Custody Orders, they added.
