Lord Chief Justice warns of 'Wasted year' at Stormont

The Lord Chief Justice has told Victims and Survivors of the troubles there's been a 'wasted year' at Stormont. 

Sir Declan Morgan proposed a £10million pound plan last February to hear all legacy related inquests within five years. 

The funding had to be signed off by the Execuitve but parties disagreed on the terms under which the inquests could take place. 

More than 80 deaths remain to be heard with some of the killings taking place more than 40 years ago.

Sir Declan addressed the Victims and Survivors Forum today, and said it looked increasingly unclear as to when the matters could be progressed. 
“Wasted time is something we can ill afford but it is as yet unclear to me when there may be a further opportunity to move forward on these matters.

“My focus on legacy inquests is a direct result of the responsibilities placed on me over a year ago by the Department of Justice, when the Minister decided to appoint me as President of the Coroners’ Courts. 

"I cannot ignore my statutory responsibilities but I do understand the fears and concerns of other victims and survivors, many of whom are also bitterly disappointed by the delay in achieving a political resolution on an overall legacy package.”

Sir Declan repeated his view that there will need to be an injection of additional funding for a reformed inquest process and closer co-operation between organisations:

“It would be wrong to allow the families concerned to believe that we can somehow achieve the impossible under the existing inquest process. 

"If the resources I have requested are not forthcoming, we will need to make a careful assessment of what can reasonably be achieved within the limited budget we are given and under the existing inquest process.”