First Mairia Cahill meetingstake place in Belfast: PPS

An independent review of the prosecution of three interlinked cases involving sex abuse and terrorist-related charges began its first round of preliminary meetings in Belfast on Friday, December 5, 2014.
By Staff Reporter
Published 5th Dec 2014, 16:00 BST

The cases relate to the alleged rape of Mairia Cahill, whose Great Uncle, Joe Cahill, was former Chief of Staff of the IRA.

Keir Starmer Queen’s Council (QC) who is leading the Review, commissioned by the Director of Public Prosecutions Barra McGrory QC, held a series of private meetings with three of the complainants involved in the cases, hearing their concerns directly.

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Speaking after the round of preliminary meetings Sir Keir said: “I am grateful to the complainants for meeting me today and welcome their early input into this Review. It is very important that they have confidence in this process.

“The Director of Public Prosecutions has assured me full access to all materials and PPS staff for the purposes of this review. I will conduct an independent and robust review of all relevant material and will publish my findings.”

A broad framework has been established for the Review which includes: Consideration of all aspects of the handling and conduct of the prosecutions by the PPS; Consideration of all relevant files relating to the prosecutions; Conduct of all relevant interviews with whomsoever the Reviewer requires; Identification of any recommendations to improve the services of the PPS.

The Director of Public Prosecutions Barra McGrory QC welcomed the commencement of the Review saying: “I have commissioned this Review so that all concerns can be openly and objectively explored and if there are any lessons to be learned then we will do so.

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“The Review is wholly independent of the Service but will have the full co-operation of all staff involved in the cases and access to all of the files.

“Sir Keir is a lawyer with an international reputation, with particular experience of prosecuting sexual abuse offences of a non-recent nature. While this is a Review which will consider particular cases in-depth, it will also seek to consider any systemic or process issues which may apply to similar areas of work and make any recommendations in relation to the PPS.”

It is anticipated that the Review will be completed by the Spring of 2015.

Related topics:Mairia CahillBelfast