The Argus (Dundalk), 23 August 2002:
|
Coroner wants the law changed to compel witnesses to attend inquests |
The existing
legislation which dates back to 1962 only allows a Coroner to issue a summons
for someone to attend an inquest but doesn’t give them powers to compel
witnesses to attend.
“The sooner the
law is changed the better. In England the coroners have very adequate powers to
ensure that people turn up for inquests,” he said.
He made his
comments as depositions from a number of witnesses were read into the record
when they failed to attend the inquest hearing in Dundalk on Monday.
Mr Maguire said
that people really should have to turn up so that the jury could have the
benefit of proper witnesses.
As it stood he had
no power to compel people, even from within the jurisdiction, to attend a
hearing.
“It is deeply
unsatisfactory,” he said.
He understood that
the Coroners Act of 1962 was being reviewed and he hoped that something would be
done to change that aspect of it.
His comments
indicate the difficulties which are likely to arise when a fresh inquest into
the death of Seamus Ludlow is held later this year.
The Attorney
General has ordered that a new inquest is held into the murder of Mr Ludlow, who
it is believed was killed by loyalists in 1976.
Louth County Coroner Mr Ronan Maguire BL has called for a review of the
legislation to enable coroners to compel witnesses to attend inquest hearings.
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The Irish Independent, 19 July 2002: Fresh inquest into death of murdered man
The Irish News, 19 July 2002: Family welcome inquest 26 years after murder
The Irish Times, 19 July 2002: New inquest ordered into Louth man's death
The Dundalk Democrat, 20 July 2002: Second inquest to be held into the death of Seamus Ludlow
The Sunday Life, 28 July 2002: Inquest to name Ludlow killers
The Irish Examiner Online - Breaking News, 29 July 2002: Call for public inquiry into 1976 murder
Ulster Television (UTV), online 29 July 2002: Celtic League in demand over murder
The Examiner, 30 July 2002: Ludlow killers to be named
The Irish News, 6 August 2002: Celtic League to fight on for murder inquiry
Copyright
© 2002 the Ludlow family. All rights reserved.
Revised: March 12, 2005
.