NI: British intelligence to advise on 'shoot-to-kill' anonymity

MI5 will have a key role in the decision whether or not to grant anonymity to 14 Northern Ireland police officers implicated in a shoot-to-kill probe.

The Secret Service will draw up risk assessments on police service members called before a Belfast inquest for an IRA man shot dead by the security forces in November 1992.

Pearse Jordan, 23, a republican from the Ballymurphy area of west Belfast, was killed by the Royal Ulster Constabulary in disputed circumstances after a car crash on the Falls Road.

Witnesses claimed the stolen car he was driving was rammed and that, as he attempted to run away, he was shot three times in the back.

Barrister for his family Karen Quinlivan said an anticipated delay of months was a disappointment.

She told a preliminary hearing at Belfast Coroner’s Court: “In an inquest which has already been significantly delayed and we are working to a timetable, with all due respect that is unacceptable.

“This inquest has not come as a surprise to anyone, we have done preliminary hearings since September, it should be possible to progress matters.”

The shift of responsibility to MI5 is part of the service’s assumption of national security powers from the Police Service of Northern Ireland and officials are still drawing up protocols on the shift at present.

The full hearing, which will also include three soldiers who have applied for anonymity, is due to begin in April.

Barrister for the police Tony McGleenan said: “There is a threat assessment process for 14 of those witnesses, the process of that assessment has altered.

“That function has now transferred to MI5 who have responsibility for threat assessment in relation to dissident or republican paramilitary organisations.”

Coroner John Leckey will take the final decision on anonymity and has already had access to sensitive material and is due to receive more within weeks.

The inquest has been adjourned several times and there has been action in the European Court of Human Rights in Strasbourg which ruled Mr Jordan among 12 men whose rights had been violated.