The GAA’s most senior figure in Ulster has said the association must use all its influence to ensure that an inquest into the murder of Co Derry official Sean Brown is completed.
In a report to be presented at Ulster GAA’s Annual Convention next month, Provincial Secretary and Chief Executive Officer Brian McAvoy branded Mr Brown’s killing “sectarian”.
The 61-year-old was attacked and beaten by an LVF gang as he locked the gates at Bellaghy Wolfe Tones GAC, Co Derry, in May 1997.
After he was placed in the boot of his own car, he was taken to a country lane outside Randalstown, Co Antrim, where he was shot six times.
Collusion is strongly suspected, and several of those thought to be involved are believed to be state agents.
Mr Brown’s inquest, which began in March, has been held up due to ongoing PSNI delays in producing sensitive material linked to the murder.
Under the British government’s controversial Northern Ireland Troubles (Legacy and Reconciliation), inquests that have not reached their findings stage by May will be halted.
The act has been challenged in the High Court by relatives of the dead, while the Irish government has launched an inter-state case against the British government under the European Convention on Human Rights.
Part of the delay is down to a failure by the PSNI to produce material that may be subject to public immunity interest (PII) certificates.
Such certificates are used by security agencies to withhold information they do not want in the public domain.
Earlier this month it emerged that a Northern Ireland Office minister, understood to be Steve Baker, issued a PII certificate in relation to material provided by The Security Service, also known as MI5.
The PSNI suggested that an inquest is not an “appropriate vehicle” for continuing the investigation into Mr Brown’s death and said they would not object to a public inquiry.
The Brown family say they want the inquest to continue.
In recent weeks Bellaghy Wolf Tones has publicly offered support to the Brown family along with several county boards, including Derry, Tyrone and Armagh.
Former Police Ombudsman Baroness Nuala O’Loan has previously branded delays in handing over information to the Sean Brown inquest as “unjustifiable”.
In his report, which will be presented to Ulster GAAs annual convention on January 12, Mr McAvoy outlined the background to the case.
“Sean Brown’s murder was clearly sectarian – his only ‘crime’ was being a member of the GAA,” he also wrote.
“As an association we must continue to use whatever influence we have to ensure that this case is concluded as expeditiously as possible and the Brown family can at least take some solace from a completed inquest.”
