Northern Ireland

Victims' family ask Bar Council to respond to legacy plans

Marjorie Roddy and her brother, Billy McGreanery led a vigil on Wednesday night marking the 50th anniversary of their uncle's killing by a British army sniper. Picture by Pat Finucane Centre
Marjorie Roddy and her brother, Billy McGreanery led a vigil on Wednesday night marking the 50th anniversary of their uncle's killing by a British army sniper. Picture by Pat Finucane Centre Marjorie Roddy and her brother, Billy McGreanery led a vigil on Wednesday night marking the 50th anniversary of their uncle's killing by a British army sniper. Picture by Pat Finucane Centre

The Bar Council of England and Wales has been asked to respond to Secretary of State Brandon Lewis's plans to stop Troubles' legacy legal actions on the grounds that he is a member of the Bar.

The family of Troubles' victim, Billy McGreanery has written to the Bar Council, claiming barrister Mr Lewis intends driving a "coach and horses" through the right to seek redress through the courts.

A vigil was held in Derry on Wednesday night marking the 50th anniversary of Mr McGreanery’s death.

The 41-year-old was shot dead by a British army sniper at the junction of the city’s Westland Street and Laburnum Terrace on September 15 1971.

His family believed his killing was a reprisal for the Official IRA shooting of two soldiers in Creggan, one of whom (Sergeant Martin Carroll) died from his injuries.

A Historical Enquiries Team investigation in 2010 found that he was not armed and did not post a threat against the soldier, overturning the British army's claim that he had a rifle.

In 2014, the Public Prosecution Service referred the case to the PSNI's Legacy Investigation Brach and an investigation has been underway since.

Now Mr McGreanery's nephew and niece, Billy McGreanery and Marjorie Roddy, have written to the Bar Council of England and Wales to express their "grave concern" that one of its members, Mr Lewis is proposing to close down all access to justice for their family.

"Brandon Lewis, who remains a member of the Inner Temple (of the Bar Council), is proposing an outrageous politically motivated intervention that would close down all access to justice through the courts for our family and hundreds of others.

"The police investigation into the death of Billy McGreanery will be stopped by this legislation which was described by legal experts last week as going further than the amnesty introduced by the dictator, Pinochet in Chile," the family said.

Mr McGreanery and Mrs Roddy have asked the Bar Council to respond to the Secretary of State's proposals.