Dillon inquest must proceed in April to avoid legacy law ‘guillotine’, court hears

An inquest into the loyalist shooting of a nightclub doorman must go ahead next April to avoid the “guillotine” of the Government’s new legacy laws, a court has heard.

Coroner Richard Greene made the comments as a PSNI barrister expressed concerns about meeting a timetable for completing a Public Interest Immunity (PII) process ahead of the inquest into the death of Seamus Dillon commencing.

The former republican prisoner was gunned down by the Loyalist Volunteer Force (LVF) outside the Glengannon Hotel in Dungannon in 1997.

The shooting was seen as a revenge attack by loyalists following the murder of LVF leader Billy Wright in the Maze prison hours earlier.

The inquest for the 45-year-old father-of-three is due to commence on April 8.

However, the proceedings are taking place against the backdrop of the Government’s new Legacy Act, which states that any legacy inquests that have not reached the point of verdict by May 1 2024 will be discontinued.

During a preliminary hearing at Laganside Courthouse, counsel for the coroner Frank O’Donoghue KC said the PII hearing was scheduled to take place between January 15-17 ahead of the inquest opening in April.

Joanne Hannigan KC, representing the PSNI and MoD, said some sensitive material in the case had been received by the police only last week.

She said: “We do need to have the whole picture. We are somewhat against time.

“There are serious concerns on behalf of the state parties whether they will be able to meet the timetable currently laid down.”

Counsel for the next of kin Des Fahy KC said: “We welcome the fixing of a date for PII because that provides a focus.

“It seems to us if this is a matter of resources, then the resources should be allocated.”

Mr Fahy added: “A start date of April 8 leaves things very much in the balance that we get finished by May 1.

“I would be extremely concerned on behalf of my clients if there was any slippage in that date. Any slippage will mean that we do not meet the legislative requirements of the Act.”

Coroner Mr Greene said there may be some slippage in the PII timetable, but not in the date for the inquest opening.

He said: “There has been no discussion, neither will I entertain any discussion about the changing of that date. That is set and that will not change.”

The coroner said he wanted the PSNI to provide a timetable for the PII process at a hearing next week.

He added: “I would be looking for a date in mid-February at the latest.

“We are in a very difficult and different situation to many other important cases that are on our desks when we have a guillotine.”

The next preliminary hearing will take place on November 21.