Mother of Pearse Jordan wins Supreme Court Appeal
Solicitor Fearghal Shiels, Pearse Jordan’s father Hugh, mother Teresa and brother Matt

This morning, the Supreme Court of the United Kingdom unanimously allowed an appeal by Teresa Jordan, mother of Pearse Jordan who was shot dead by the RUC in November 1992 against a decision of the Court of Appeal that a bereaved next of kin can only bring a claim for damages arising from the State’s failure to hold an inquest promptly, after the inquest has been concluded.

Mrs Jordan’s solicitor, Fearghal Shiels of Madden & Finucane, said:

“The Supreme Court has vindicated Pearse Jordan’s mother in bringing this appeal.

“It is a decision which is likely to have far reaching implications for dozens of next of kin in circumstances where the inquests into the deaths of their loved ones have effectively ground to a halt as a result of the woeful and deliberate failure to properly resource the coronial system.

“This judgment now gives those families an opportunity to access the courts and enforce their rights enshrined in the European Convention on Human Rights in the domestic courts without recourse to Strasbourg.”