The Independent Commission for Reconciliation and Information Recovery (ICRIR), established under the controversial Northern Ireland Troubles (Legacy and Reconciliation) Act 2023, has taken on just eight cases in its first four months of operation, sparking concerns and opposition from many victims and their families. The body, operational since May, was created as part of the British government’s efforts to address unresolved cases from the Troubles. However, its progress has been slower than anticipated, with only a handful of cases being investigated so far.
The ICRIR, led by former Lord Chief Justice Sir Declan Morgan, has faced intense scrutiny since its inception. The body’s establishment effectively ended all inquests, civil cases, and prosecutions related to the Troubles, instead offering conditional immunity to individuals who cooperate with the commission’s investigations. Critics argue that this process is designed to protect state actors from accountability for past actions.
Dr. Iain Overton, Executive Director of Action on Armed Violence, voiced his concerns, stating: “The slow activity of the ICRIR raises critical concerns about transparency and justice for the victims of the Troubles. While the intention may be reconciliation, this funereal pace undermines the very purpose of addressing the past with integrity and fairness.”
In its first accountability update, the commission confirmed that 10 formal requests for investigations had been made, of which eight have been accepted. These include a notable case investigating the IRA’s Guildford pub bombings in 1974, which claimed the lives of four British soldiers and a civilian. However, the commission has yet to release a complete list of cases being pursued, with only limited information available on its website.
The ICRIR has received 85 inquiries from members of the public, further demonstrating the need for its work. Yet, for many, the slow progress only deepens concerns. Daniel Holder, from the Committee on the Administration of Justice, said: “These figures show that the ICRIR being set up has led to legacy investigations grinding to a halt. Four months in, the ICRIR has only eight cases. Compare this to the hundreds being dealt with by the Police Ombudsman, inquests, civil litigation, and police teams that have all been shut down by the Legacy Act.”
The Labour Party has expressed intentions to repeal and replace the Legacy Act, though it has indicated that the ICRIR would remain in some capacity. Victims’ groups and human rights advocates have consistently challenged the commission’s perceived lack of transparency, with many viewing it as an attempt by the British government to shield those involved in state violence from justice.
Sir Declan Morgan has defended the commission’s work, stating, “We are now at a stage where people have come forward and put their trust in the Commission to take their requests forward. We will now do so in line with our values and core principles.” He emphasized that the body was moving into the next phase, where serious investigations into the accepted cases will begin.
Peter Sheridan, head of the ICRIR’s investigations, acknowledged the emotional toll the process takes on victims and their families. “Many of the individuals and families that the Commission will meet will have experienced harm and suffering and may have waited many years to find out more about what they and their loved ones went through,” he said. “We recognize the seriousness of the work that we are undertaking and understand that how we do things is as important as what we do.”
Nevertheless, opposition remains. Victims and advocacy groups like Relatives for Justice have called for more transparency and a greater commitment to holding those responsible for past atrocities accountable. With just eight cases accepted in four months and a workforce composed of former members of the Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI), the Royal Ulster Constabulary (RUC), and other agencies, the ICRIR faces continued accusations of secrecy and bias.
As the commission moves forward, questions persist about whether it can truly deliver justice to victims or if it will remain a controversial entity that deepens wounds rather than heals them.
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