The Metropolitan Police informed family members of IRA bombing victims that a new investigation cannot be initiated due to recent changes in legislation. Following the withdrawal of a civil case against Sinn Fein leader Gerry Adams last month, three individuals affected by London terror attacks wrote to the Met urging a fresh inquiry into Adams’ alleged connections with the IRA.
Ihsan Bashir, Susan Dodd, and Sarah Butt, who lost their loved ones in various bombings, expressed the importance of honoring their memories and seeking a thorough investigation into Adams’ purported ties to the IRA. However, their hopes were dashed when Kris Wright, the Acting Commander of Counter Terrorism Policing – London, conveyed that the Northern Ireland Troubles (Legacy and Reconciliation) Act 2023 limits criminal investigations related to the Troubles, thus preventing new inquiries by the Police.
Wright emphasized that the responsibility for investigating Troubles-related incidents now rests with the Independent Commission for Reconciliation and Information Recovery (ICRIR) as per the Act. He acknowledged the families’ pursuit of justice and assured them that their communications would be forwarded to the ICRIR for direct follow-up.
In response to the families’ plea for a review of evidence from the civil case against Adams, they requested that counter-terrorism specialists examine the new information disclosed in court. Despite Adams’ denial of IRA membership, the families believe that evidence presented in the trial raises substantial questions about his alleged involvement beyond Sinn Féin.
The families’ call for a comprehensive review of the disclosed evidence in the civil proceedings against Adams underscores their dedication to seeking accountability and justice for the victims of the IRA’s London bombings.
