Rosemary Nelson Inquiry Gone Astray

The following was written by IAUC member Ed Lynch:

Friends: If you have been following the proceedings of the Rosemary Nelson Inquiry, I trust you will be as disappointed as I am with the persistent and unjustified attacks by counsel and witnesses on the cararacter of the deceased, Rosemary Nelson. The Inquiry was establshed to inquire into the circumstances of the killing of Ms. Nelson and specifically to ascertain if there was collusion in her death on the part of the security forces. Sadly, the proceedings have strayed far afield. Counsel to the Inquiry pose statements masked as questions which include salacious and unfounded rumors of an affair between Rosemary and a client.

The very eager witnesses from the former RUC, the Special Branch and the Intelligence Service rise to the bait and troll in the dirty waters of character asassination. Every first year law student knows that it is improper for an attorney to pose a question to a witness without a foundation in admissible evidence. The most recent outrage is the testimony on November 13 of former Special Branch member Arbison that he believed Rosemary Nelson had engaged in criminal conduct by gathering and sharing of information likely to aid terrorists.

See also the questions and testimony of November 14. Shades of MP Hogg whose wild language led to the death of Pat Finucane. As attorney Welsh was quoted when addressing the grand inquisitor, Senator Joe McCarthy, ” Have you no shame, sir?'”