Appointment of Judge to Investigate Allegations of Collusion
The British and Irish Governments today announced the appointment of the Honourable Mr Justice Peter deCarteret Cory to conduct the investigation of allegations of collusion. This follows the commitment made by the two Governments following the Weston Park talks last summer. Mr Justice Cory is a retired member of the Supreme Court in Canada.
Mr Justice Cory's investigation will cover six cases: the murders of Chief Superintendent Harry Breen and Superintendent Bob Buchanan, Pat Finucane, Lord Justice and Lady Gibson, Robert Hamill, Rosemary Nelson and Billy Wright.
Announcing the appointment, Mr Brian Cowen TD, Minister for Foreign Affairs, said, ‘I want to thank Mr Justice Cory for agreeing to conduct the investigation into these important cases. His appointment is an important step along the road to truth and justice for the families of the victims. Mr Justice Cory brings considerable experience and skill to the task and he has the full support of both Governments in carrying it out. This includes a commitment to implementing his recommendations, including a recommendation that a public inquiry be established. Mr Justice Cory's appointment underlines Canada's continued interest in and commitment to the peace process and I look forward to welcoming him to Ireland soon.'
Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, Dr John Reid MP said, ‘I am very grateful to Mr Justice Cory, an eminent and highly experienced lawyer and judge, for taking on this important task. I wish him well in it. For our part, the Government is committed to co-operating fully with the investigation, and to ensuring that Mr Justice Cory has the support and resources he needs to carry it out.
‘Mr Justice Cory's appointment is further evidence of Canada's support for the peace process, which the British Government welcomes.'
NOTES FOR EDITORS
Biographical Note: The Honourable Mr Justice Peter deCarteret Cory B.A. LL.L
Born: Windsor, Ontario; 25 October 1925; son of Andrew and Mildred (Beresford Howe) Cory.
Education: University of Western Ontario (Assumption), B.A. 1947, Osgoode Hall Law School 1950.
Career History: Pilot in the RCAF. Served overseas with 6th Bomber Group. Called to the Onatrio Bar, 1950. Remained member of reserve army until 1952. Appointed QC, 1963. Practised law with Holden, Murdoch. Elected Bencher of the Law Society of Upper Canada, 1971. Past Chairman of the Ontario Civil Liberties Section of the Canadian Bar Association. Past President of the County of York Law Association. Past National Director of the Canadian Bar Association. Past President of the Advocates' Society. Appointed to the Supreme Court of Ontario High Court, 1974. Appointed to the Ontario Court of Appeal, 1981. Appointed to the Supreme Court of Canada, 1.2.1989. Retired on 1 June 1999.Hon Colonel, 426 (T) Training Squadron. Chair of Military Judges Compensation Committee. Commissioner for Province of Manitoba enquiring into the wrongful conviction for murder and compensation payable to Thomas Sophonow. Commissioner for Province of Onatrio on role of paralegals. Member of DNA Databank Advisory Committee.
Married: Edith Nash. Three Sons.
Interests: Plays squash and tennis.
Weston Park Proposals
The relevant paragraphs from the proposals which the two Governments published on1 August last year, following the talks at Weston Park, are:
18. Both Governments want the new policing arrangements now being established to focus on the future. But they also accept that certain cases from the past remain a source of grave public concern, particularly those giving rise to serious allegations of collusion by the security forces in each of our jurisdictions. Both Governments will therefore appoint a judge of international standing from outside both jurisdictions to undertake a thorough investigation of allegations of collusion in the cases, of the murders of Chief Superintendent Harry Breen and Superintendent Bob Buchanan, Pat Finucane, Lord Justice and Lady Gibson, Robert Hamill, Rosemary Nelson and Billy Wright.
19. The investigation of each individual case will begin no later than April 2002 unless this is clearly prejudicial to a forthcoming prosecution at that time. Detailed terms of referece will be published but the appointed judge will be asked to review all the papers, interview anyone who can help, establish the facts and report with recommendations for any further action. Arrangements will be made to hear the views of the victims' families and keep them informed of progress. If the appointed judge considers that in any case this has not provided a sufficient basis on which to establish the facts, he or she can report to this effect with recommendations as to what further action should be taken. In the event that a Public Inquiry is recommended in any case, the relevant Government will implement that recommendation.Top
