Frequently Asked Questions

This part of the website will give answers to those questions the Inquiry is most frequently asked and help to explain why the Inquiry has been established and how it proposes to undertake its work.

Any person with questions regarding the Inquiry should use the e-mail link at Contact Us.

How will the Inquiry go about all of its work – the Terms of Reference are very broad?

The Inquiry published a List of Issues which it anticipated would be considered within the Terms of Reference. This sets out in greater detail the areas of investigation the Inquiry undertook.

How can I contact the Inquiry?

The Inquiry is based in Edinburgh, the postal address is The Billy Wright Inquiry, Conference House, 152, Morrison Street, The Exchange, Edinburgh, EH3 8EB. The Inquiry has a website (www.thebillywrightinquiry.org) and can be contacted by e-mail via the website.

What should I do if I have some information which might be helpful/useful to the Inquiry?

Anyone with any information which they consider will be helpful, and which relates to the Inquiry’s List of Issues, should contact the Solicitor to the Billy Wright Inquiry at the Inquiry’s offices.

How will I be kept informed of progress of the Inquiry?

During oral hearings, a transcript of the proceedings was posted onto the Inquiry website each day.

Why is the Inquiry not going to look in to whether any other prisoners were involved in the murder?

Such an investigation does not fall within the Terms of Reference. The Inquiry’s Terms of Reference require it to investigate the actions of the Prison Authorities and other state agencies.

Why has the Inquiry not sought to extend the terms of reference to include identifying other prisoners who might have been involved in the murder?

This Inquiry is not a criminal investigation and is not empowered to determine criminal liability. It is an Inquiry into the actions of state agencies and whether any actions of those agencies facilitated the death.

Who is the Inquiry Chairman?

The Chairman of the Inquiry is Lord MacLean, a retired Appellate judge from Scotland.

Who are the Panel members?

The Right Rev John Oliver, the former Bishop of Hereford and Professor Andrew Coyle, Professor of Prison Studies in the School of Law, Kings College, University of London. Between 1997 and 2005 Professor Coyle was also Director of the International Centre for Prison Studies in King’s College London.

Who works for the Inquiry?

The Solicitor to the Inquiry is Mr Henry Palin, previously Solicitor to the Shipman Inquiry, and the Secretary to the Inquiry is Mrs Oonagh McIntosh.

Who are Counsel to the Inquiry?

Mr Angus Stewart QC is Leading Counsel to the Inquiry. Mr Murdo Macleod QC is Senior Council to the Inquiry and Dr Eugene Creally is Junior Counsel to the Inquiry. Mr Derek Batchelor QC was Leading Counsel to the Inquiry from April 2005 to June 2008.

Has the Inquiry decided who will be parties to the Inquiry?

Applications for Representation were considered, as they were received. Further applications were received at the Preliminary Meeting on 22nd June 2005. The Chairman decided applications for representation and made recommendations to the Secretary of State in respect of applications for funding. Applicants were notified out the outcome of their applications in writing. Further details on this process are contained in the Inquiries protocols on the website.

Is the Inquiry independent of the Northern Ireland Office?

The Inquiry is wholly independent of the Northern Ireland Office and Government.

Is the Inquiry subject to/established under Scottish law?

No. the Inquiry was initially established under section 7 of the Prisons Act (Northern Ireland) 1953. On 23rd November 2005 the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, the Rt Hon Peter Hain MP, converted the Inquiry to be held under the Inquiries Act 2005.

The Cory Report was published in April 2004. What happened thereafter?

The Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, The Rt Hon Paul Murphy, announced that there would be a Public Inquiry on 16th November 2004. The Chairman only retired from the Court of Session in Edinburgh in January 2005 and the Inquiry moved into its offices in Edinburgh in mid-March 2005 and began its work.

Will the Inquiry take evidence from former Maze prisoners?

The Inquiry hopes to hear from all those who have any evidence that is relevant to its Terms of Reference and List of Issues. If former Maze prisoners have information that they consider would be helpful to the Inquiry they are invited to contact us. The Inquiry will endeavor to obtain evidence from all relevant witnesses.

Will witnesses be granted anonymity?

This is a Public Inquiry and as far as possible it will do its work in an open and public way. Claims for anonymity were considered on an individual basis and had to be supported by reasons. All representations received by the Inquiry were considered and a decision communicated in due course. Where appropriate this may be after hearing oral representations.

Will witnesses be granted immunity from prosecution?

The Inquiry itself does not have the power to grant such immunity to witnesses. Requests for immunity, supported by reasons, will be considered by the Inquiry and a decision will be made whether to recommend to the appropriate person or body that some form of immunity should be granted.

Will the Inquiry take evidence from Billy Wright’s killers?

The Inquiry has been contacted by solicitors acting for them and the Inquiry Solicitor is dealing with this.

What if someone does not want to assist the Inquiry or fails to assist with evidence gathering?

It is expected that the Inquiry will receive the full and complete co-operation of all persons it has contact with, including all agencies of Government. However, should that co-operation not be forthcoming, the Inquiry will not hesitate to use its compulsory powers in relation to the production of documents and the attendance of witnesses to give evidence.

Will evidence be posted onto the Inquiry’s website and, if so, how?

It is the Inquiry’s intention that evidence submitted to the Inquiry should, wherever possible, be placed into the public domain. The Inquiry Chairman will consider any representations he receives from any person who has concerns regarding the publication of evidence submitted to the Inquiry and in some cases evidence will appear in redacted form. In other cases it may be necessary to keep evidence from the public domain.

Where did the Inquiry hold its hearings?

The Inquiry held its main oral hearings at the former Magistrates' Court in Victoria Street, Banbridge, Co. Down.

Were the hearings open to the public?

As much evidence as possible was heard in public. There were, on occasions, applications made by Parties that some evidence be heard in private\in camera. The Chairman considered any such applications and made a decision.

Could anyone attend the hearings?

Yes, provided the hearings are public.

Were the hearings broadcast?

The Hearings were not broadcast.

How will I know what was said each day at the Inquiry?

The Inquiry published the transcript from each day of its proceedings on the website.

Isn’t the Inquiry a waste of time as we know who killed Billy Wright?

That is a matter for the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland. The Inquiry has been charged with a task and it intends to undertake it and Report to the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland accordingly.

Does the Inquiry think any of its recommendations will be implemented?

The Inquiry Panel will, at the end of their work, report to the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland – including making recommendations. It is a matter for the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, and others, as to what recommendations are acted upon.

Will the Inquiry’s Final Report be published?

It is the Inquiry’s intention, and as far as the Inquiry is aware the intention of the Northern Ireland Office, that any Report produced by the Billy Wright Inquiry will be published.