Document Category: Operational policies

From 1 May 2024, the ICRIR, known as ‘the Commission’, takes on the remit to investigate cases of serious harm or death related to the Troubles/Conflict. From this date, bereaved families, victims and survivors, and certain public authorities, may request that the Commission carries out an investigation. Inquests still being carried out on 1 May 2024 are brought to an end, unless the only part still to take place is the final verdict or findings. These inquests will be concluded by the coroner. As part of its investigations, the Commission may apply a mechanism to test evidence called Enhanced Inquisitorial Proceedings, referred to as EIP. This document explains what EIP are, how they work and the reason they may be used. It sets out how EIP would apply to inquests that were at an advanced stage on 1 May and a request for an investigation is made. In these cases, the Commission will work to avoid unnecessary delays to concluding what the inquest started.

This Operational Policy sets out the details of how Enhanced Inquisitorial Proceedings will operate. The Commission’s Consultation on Operational Design sets out that during the course of the later stages of the Information Recovery Stage and in consideration of the Findings Stage, there may, in certain circumstances where criteria are met, be the need for a further process whereby specific evidence is subject to further testing in order to support the Chief Commissioner in making findings. This element of the investigation is referred to as ‘Enhanced Inquisitorial Proceedings’.

The Independent Commission for Reconciliation and Information Recovery has agreed arrangements with the Police Ombudsman for Northern Ireland (PONI), to provide independent oversight of the use of police powers by designated Commission officers in Northern Ireland.