Madden & Finucane Solicitors

Leave was granted today to Mr. Hugh Kenny, in his case against the PSNI, the Secretary of State (SoS), and the Ministry of Justice (MoJ). Mr. Kenny was shot and seriously wounded along with 3 other men on the Glen Road, Belfast in June 1972, by British soldiers from the undercover Military Reaction Force (MRF).

Despite opposition from the PSNI, the SoS and the MOJ, permission was granted today by Sir Paul Girvan for Mr. Kenny to challenge, by way of Judicial Review, the decision by the PSNI, the Secretary of State, and the Ministry of Justice, not to hold an independent investigation into the activities of the MRF.

Mr Kenny stated:

“I’m very relieved the judge today has taken steps to prevent any further delay into a proper investigation, and now we can get this case heard, not just for my sake but for the sake of all MRF victims.

“We need new independent officers from outside this jurisdiction to look at this case.”

Niall Ó’Murchú of Madden & Finucane stated:

“Today’s ruling is an important step in forcing the State to properly address its legal obligations in relation to legacy cases, and in this case in relation to the MRF and its victims.

“This current MRF investigation is nearly 3 years old and with no apparent results, and surviving victims and witnesses are getting older.

“There is precedent for this approach in other cases such as the Stakeknife case, where independent officers from other countries have been enlisted to carry out a proper investigation.”