ICRIR takes on remit for Troubles/Conflict-related investigations 

The Commission has established a process to support all those who request its services, focusing on a Trauma and Resiliency Informed Model (TRIM) approach which puts people at the heart of our work. The Case Support Team, led by an Assistant Commissioner for Investigations, will provide an empathetic and bespoke point of contact from the first approach to the Commission all the way to the conclusion of an investigation by the publication of the Commission’s findings. The Commission has published an outline of its three stages of investigation on its website. 

In line with the plan set out in the Commission’s Annual Work Plan, published 22 April, the Commission’s services will build progressively over the summer. The first stage of taking details from those who wish to discuss an investigation into their case will begin from Wednesday. Based on an understanding of the potential number of requests that the Commission will be receiving in its early months, face-to-face meetings with dedicated Case Support Workers to discuss the Commission’s work and the specific case will follow. 

The Commission’s consultation on aspects of its design concludes on 10 May, and following that a response to the consultation and finalised operational policies will be set out. 

Chief Commissioner Sir Declan Morgan, said: 

“This week sees the end of the current approach to legacy cases, with responsibilities split across a number of different organisations. The Commission will now provide a single, dedicated mechanism for investigations into deaths and serious harm during the Troubles/Conflict.  

“We are committed to complying with the ECHR and to delivering for all, no matter their background, and will use our powers to investigate thoroughly so that we set out the unvarnished facts. 

“I understand that these changes are not welcomed by some, but like when I set up the Legacy Inquests process against opposition, I am convinced that we can make this a success. We will work to gain trust by what we can deliver and we will keep reaching out to all those across our community for their input to improve the way that the Commission works. 

Commissioner for Investigations Peter Sheridan, said: 

“I take very seriously the responsibility that we all have at the Commission to deliver for the victims and survivors of the Troubles/Conflict, and their families. We cannot bring back the fathers, mothers, and daughters and sons lost during the Troubles/Conflict. But we can investigate thoroughly, without fear or favour, and set out the facts of what happened for all across our community. 

“We have strong powers, including police powers, to obtain whatever information is necessary for our investigations, and I will not hesitate to use them to get to the facts. 

“We need to follow a trauma and resiliency informed model so that the victims, survivors and families who have asked us to investigate are sensitively and properly involved at every step of our investigations.  

“I have assembled dedicated and experienced Case Support Workers and investigators from a wide range of backgrounds to carry out this work independently and impartially. And I would encourage all who feel they have something to offer to apply for further roles at the Commission. 

Notes to Editors 

• Further information about the dedicated telephone line, operated by trained staff, and other contact routes will be made available on Wednesday 1 May 2024. 
   
• On 22 April 2024, the Commission published its annual workplan that sets out budgets and deliverable outputs for the Financial Year 2024/25. More information can be found on the Documents section of our website.   
   
• The work plan included plans for the Commission’s progressive opening: 

“Our progression from May will therefore comprise:  

• In the first weeks of May, a telephone and email service will be open to the public to express interest in having their case investigated by the Commission by registering their details. This will begin from 1 May and trained staff are in place to operate this.  
• From late May onwards, face-to-face meetings between a dedicated Case Support Worker and those who have registered will begin. This will allow for further explanation about how the Commission will work – including following the Commission’s response to the consultation that it is running which closes on 10 May. And the Case Support Worker will explore more information about the person’s case. More face-to-face meetings will be able to follow. These meetings will be in neutral, discrete locations, which is an important part of our commitment to create a safe and trusted approach with those who come to us.  
• Pre-investigative work and further Case Support Worker meetings will begin from mid to late June, potentially meeting that requests for investigation will begin being accepted during July.  
• Operations sites in London and Northern Ireland will be functioning. We will have a front-office presence at our Headquarters in central Belfast and are in the late stages of designing and fitting-out the remaining space to ensure that it can also support meetings with victims, survivors and families in a secure and sensitive way. We expect that this will be ready for full use from the Autumn but until then will not be able to have visitors to those offices.” 

• The Commission will not be giving a running commentary on operational matters, including staffing and levels of contact. But its first annual report for the financial year 2023/24, covering the period when the Commission was established in December 2023 to March 2024, will also allow it to publish relevant information about its overall staffing and operations. 

• The Commission is engaged in a number of public consultation exercises to ensure people have the chance to input to its operational processes. You can access and respond to these consultations via the Commission’s website. 

• Anyone who would like to get involved in the Commission’s work to define its processes and principles can also email us at our Contact page to be added to our mailing list for updates