Legacy Investigation Branch

Police Service of Northern Ireland will do everything required to support newly formed Independent Commission for Reconciliation and Information Recovery (ICRIR)

On the day that the Independent Commission for Reconciliation and Information Recovery formally commenced its work, the Chief Constable of the Police Service of Northern Ireland has reaffirmed his unwavering commitment to support the newly formed body in their work to find answers for victim’s families.

Chief Constable Jon Boutcher said: “The establishment of the Independent Commission for Reconciliation and Information Recovery (ICRIR) brings with it a requirement for the Police Service of Northern Ireland, along with other investigative bodies, to stop all ongoing work on legacy related cases falling within the remit of the Legacy Act. This also sees the discontinuance of a number of coronial inquests and civil legal proceedings.  

“I am very aware that for victim’s families this will be an unsettling and uncertain time. Many have sought answers for years into the death of their loved ones and at times have been frustrated in their efforts to learn the truth. I want those families to know that should they choose to approach the Independent Commission in relation to their case that the Police Service of Northern Ireland will ensure that Sir Declan Morgan and his team have unfettered access to all of the material in those cases.  

“In recent weeks, some families have seen inquests run out of time and not able to finish before the 1st May cut-off date or have had to be stopped by a Coroner due to matters relating to sensitive information. I know this has taken a significant toll on them. To those families I want to stress that should they too choose to approach the Commission we will provide any and all material requested by the Commission without condition and without redaction.

“To enable this to happen the Police Service has designed and implemented a new ICRIR Hub to process any requests for information held by the police.

“The Police Service of Northern Ireland acknowledges the hurt suffered by families of those murdered during the Troubles. I know all too well that past failures to address legacy has resulted in transgenerational trauma and significant damage in public trust and confidence towards the security forces. The Police Service of Northern Ireland will cooperate fully with the Commission in order that families can receive whatever information is known about these tragic events.

“Our Legacy Investigation Branch will continue to review legacy homicide cases that do not fall within the Legacy Act. I will ensure that the needs of victim’s families are at the centre of our approach.” 

Frequently Asked Questions

  • The Legacy Act prohibits the commencement or continuation of any troubles related criminal investigations, inquests, legal proceedings and police complaints that falls within the period between 1 January 1966 and 10 April 1998.
  • From 1 May 2024, the Police Service of Northern Ireland will be required to stop all ongoing work on legacy related cases falling within the remit of the Legacy Act with the exception of those matters subject of ongoing criminal court proceedings or at the verdict/determination stage of an inquest.
  • If a case is under review or investigation which is not concluded before 1 May 2024, no further investigative action can be taken.  All materials will be gathered and retained with the original materials and securely stored by the Police Service of Northern Ireland.  
  • If a family decide to make a request to the ICRIR and this is progressed by them the Police Service of Northern Ireland will provide all materials and records held by them to the ICRIR.
  • If a case is under review or investigation which is concluded before 1 May 2024, a Transitional Provision to the Legacy Act will permit the Police Service of Northern Ireland to complete their investigation report or something subsequent to that, such as a family report.  
  • This will only be permitted as long as no further investigative actions are required. In these circumstances Legacy Investigation Branch (LIB) will inform families of the circumstances of their ongoing review/investigation, and will provide families with a copy of family reports once completed.
  • If a troubles related case has been submitted to the Public Prosecution Service (PPS) for decision and that has resulted in a no prosecution decision for a troubles related offence, a Transitional Provision to the Legacy Act will allow a review of that decision, if requested within 28 days of the decision being taken.  This includes allowing the continuation of a review of a decision to complete if already commenced.
  • If a homicide case falls outside the timelines and remit of the Legacy Act, namely any non-troubles related murder that occurred between 1 January 1969 and 1st March 2004, or a terrorist related murder that occurred between 10 April 1998 and 1 March 2004 these cases may remain within the caseload of LIB for future review.
  • If a case has received a prosecution decision from the PPS these will continue through the Criminal Justice System and are not impacted by the Act.  LIB will continue to manage these cases until conclusion.
  • The ICRIR have now opened their email and telephone lines to the public and details have been published on their website. This now allows victims, families and their representatives to find out what the ICRIR can offer.  You can find further information on the ICRIR website.
  • If families are unsure as to the position of their loved ones case, LIB if contacted will confirm the position of any case including cases that fall within the Legacy Act.

Contact Us

Legacy Investigation Branch can be contacted by email, post or by telephone as follows:-

Email: L&[email protected]

Telephone: 028 9258 9258

Legacy Investigation Branch
4-8 Ravernet Road
Sprucefield
LISBURN
BT27 5NB