Families bereaved during the Troubles gathered outside court on Friday morning ahead of the Court of Appeal ruling to stage a protest aimed at scrapping the ICRIR.
The Independent Commission for Reconciliation and Information Recovery (ICRIR) was set up under the British government’s legacy act and has responsibility for investigating all Troubles-linked cases, but does not have the support of many families who lost loved ones during the conflict.
Outside the Royal Courts of Justice, family members laid out shoes and other belongings of loved ones ahead of the court hearing, labelled an “In Their Footsteps” memorial.
North Belfast MP John Finucane, whose family last week were told there would be a public inquiry into the murder of his father in their home in 1989, said ahead of the appeal that there was no confidence in current methods of dealing with legacy cases.
“It’s very moving and it’s very poignant and dignified that families come here today, it shows how important it is for them,” Mr Finucane said.
“That’s what we’re really here about, a stark reminder that we are here for so many people that did lose their lives, and we are here to ensure that they get a proper crack at justice.
“It’s very clear that there is no confidence whatsoever in the proposals and mechanisms that have been imposed on families by a Tory government who didn’t listen to anybody on this island or beyond.
“The families have been at this for decades, for generations, it’s cruel, unnecessary and I think it’s very important that we all stand in solidarity in one voice to say that we want to deal with our past.”
