‘Hooded men’ hope for Government decision today

Several men seeking the reopening of a landmark case against Britain over the alleged use of torture techniques in Northern Ireland during the Troubles are "heartened" the Government is now taking their case seriously, their counsel told the High Court yesterday.

Ronan Lavery QC said he understood a decision on the matter may come from the Government today.

Known as “the hooded men” — because hoods were placed over their heads during interrogation — they want a court order requiring the Government to decide if it is to seek to revise a 1978 judgment of the European Court of Human Rights (ECHR) which found their treatment, while inhumane and degrading, did not constitute torture.