The Government has asked the British authorities for an urgent report on the Robert Hamill case following the recent decision not to proceed with the prosecution of RUC officers in relation to the murder.
The Minister for Foreign Affairs, Mr Andrews, said he had conveyed the Government's "widespread and deep concern" about the case through the framework of the Anglo-Irish Intergovernmental Conference. An urgent report had been requested and "in the light of this report I will consider what appropriate action to take", the Minister said.
Responding to a question in the Dail from the Fianna Fail TD, Ms Cecilia Keaveney, Mr Andrews said he had closely monitored developments in the Hamill case. Mr Hamill died as a result of an attack in Portadown on April 27th, 1997. Mr Andrews told Ms Keaveney that since the cold-blooded killing of Rosemary Nelson in March this year, the Government had impressed on the British government that the investigation into her murder must be, and be seen to be, thorough, transparent and independent.
"The Government is keenly aware of the concerns which have been voiced in the nationalist community and on the part of human rights groups both in Ireland and internationally about the role of the RUC in that investigation."