New inquest ordered into murder of Jim Murphy in 1974

Jonathan McCambridge, PA

A new inquest has been ordered into the death of a man in Co Fermanagh almost 50 years ago.

The Attorney General for Northern Ireland Dame Brenda King has directed the new proceedings amid concerns over the original RUC investigation into the death of Jim Murphy.

However, under the provisions of the Government’s contentious new legacy laws, the inquest will not be able to take place before a guillotine date of May 1 for cases which have not reached a point of verdict.

Mr Murphy was shot dead by loyalists at his garage in Corraveigha, Derrylin, on April 20th 1974.

The case has previously been referred to the Police Ombudsman Marie Anderson, but she has said she will not be able to investigate the original police probe until April 2027 due to limited resources.

Mr Murphy’s niece Joan Corrigan, who believes there was security force collusion in her uncle’s murder, said she was delighted with the decision by the attorney general.

She said: “It will not bring him back, but April 2024 will mark the 50th anniversary of his murder and I can look at his photograph on my wall and know I did as much as I could for his memory.

“He was a civil rights activist who sought truth, justice and equality, as do I, and a new inquest would be an extremely fitting tribute to him.”

She added: “Whilst I never met Jim, I know his siblings and loved ones suffered a huge loss, huge pain.

“I hope this gives victims’ families some hope for the long-term battle for justice, in spite of the reprehensible amnesty from the Tory government, which is a further, vicious slap in the face to the bereaved.”

Solicitor Niall Murphy, from KRW Law, said: “We welcome this important decision by the Attorney General to order an inquest into the murder of Jim Murphy.

“It is poignant and sad that it has taken 50 years for official recognition that the original RUC investigation into Jim’s murder was failed and defective.”

Mr Murphy said he was hopeful the British government’s legacy laws would be overturned by legal challenge.

The Northern Ireland Troubles (Legacy and Reconciliation) Act 2023, which gained royal assent last year, will halt all legacy inquests which have not reached a point of verdict by May 1st.

A number of Troubles victims have launched legal action against the new laws and the Irish Government has announced it is to challenge the Act in the European Court of Human Rights.