Glenanne Gang Murders

Jim Sheridan Excerpts

Tuesday 12th November 2013 Westminster Hall

[Dr McDonnell]

Is the Minister aware of, and will she comment on, an inquest that is being undertaken at the moment, which has been delayed for years, in which despite Army surveillance on the house that was attacked by the UVF—

[Jim Sheridan (in the Chair)]

Order. I think we may be moving into the area of sub judice.

[Dr McDonnell]

The Roseanne Mallon case is very significant.

[Jim Sheridan (in the Chair)]

Order. The Minister has very little time as it is.

[Anna Soubry]

I would be quite happy for the hon. Gentleman to write to me, which would be the proper way to raise the subject. The Chair has made a good point that the case may, in any event, be sub judice. As the representative of a Department that has, I believe, made a huge contribution to the current stable and optimistic situation in Northern Ireland, I share the hopes of many that the Executive’s invitation to Richard Haass to address a range of issues, including those arising from the past, will lead to some real progress on this difficult issue. Although we should never seek to ignore the past, I hope that there will be a great emphasis across all parts of the community on shifting our collective focus to a future shared by all the citizens of Northern Ireland. Where things have been done that should not have been done, it is right that the police carry out full, rigorous and professional investigation, and when people have done wrong, they should be brought to justice.

Question put and agreed to.