Son of murdered INLA leader granted leave for judicial reviews in Irish High Court

At a sitting of the High Court, Justice Niamh Hyland granted leave for two judicial review applications brought by Dominic Og McGlinchey.

The applications arose from the Garda investigations into the deaths of Dominic's mother Mary, who was murdered in Dundalk in 1987 and his father Dominic, who was murdered in Drogheda in 1994. Dominic was a child at the time of his parents murders and witnessed both.

A statement from the family's solicitor read: "Having heard from Counsel, Mr Ronan Munro SC who leads Glenn Lynch BL with Conan Fegan BL, during the course of the hearing, the Court was satisfied of the existence of an arguable and credible case thus granting leave. Proceedings have now been adjourned until the new term in October.

"Today's decision marks a significant step towards seeking clarity and accountability from the State. 

"It is indeed an outrage that the family was compelled to pursue litigation without any prior progress being offered by the State in response to their pleas for engagement. 

"The manner in which victims and survivors of the Troubles are dealt with in this State needs to be addressed whereby a compassionate approach within the spirit of the Good Friday Agreement is adopted."

Dominic Óg McGlinchey and members of the McGlinchey and McNeil family travelled to Brussels with their Primary Solicitor, Ciarán Mulholland, to discuss with delegates in the European Parliament the murders of Dominic Senior and Mary McGlinchey.

Originally from south Derry, ex-INLA 'chief of staff' Dominic McGlinchey was shot dead in Drogheda, County Louth, on February 10 1994.

A former member of the IRA, in an 1983 interview he claimed to have killed 30 people during the Troubles.

His wife Mary was also killed while bathing their young children at their home in Dundalk, County Louth, seven years prior, on January 31 1987.

The family previously launched judicial review proceedings in relation to both murders against the office of the Commissioner of An Garda Siochána and Minister for Justice, Helen McEntee.

Previously commenting on the latest developments, Ciarán Mulholland of Mulholland Law, said: "This is an important opportunity for us to raise awareness about the ongoing legal issues surrounding these cases, and to ensure that the voices of the victims and survivors are heard at the highest levels of government arising from our Troubled past in Ireland."

Sinn Féin councillor for Causeway Coast and Glens council and brother of Dominic Snr, Sean McGlinchey, previously stated he is "horrified even at this stage of the peace process" by the approach of authorities in Dublin.

Councillor McGlinchey said: "There are many victims and survivors from the recent conflict on this shared Island that still are denied justice.

"There is no monopoly on victimhood and there should never be any superiority with survivors, however my nephew is still denied any form of justice or access to achieving the truth into the gruesome and heinous murders of his parents."