Hamill murder a reminder of sectarianism's cost, says former NI Secretary

Summarised from 2 outlets · Updated 13 Oct, 07:32 · Archive

A former Northern Ireland Secretary has said Robert Hamill's 1997 murder should remind people of sectarianism's consequences.

Robert Hamill was beaten by loyalists as he walked along Portadown's Market Street after a night out in April 1997, dying of his injuries 11 days later. The Hamill Inquiry report, published last month, confirmed he was attacked simply because he was Catholic.

The inquiry found that a number of "wrongful acts and omissions" by RUC officers obstructed the investigation into his murder. However, officers in a Land Rover near the scene did not condone or collude with the attackers.

As the House of Lords debated the report, Lord Murphy of Torfaen, who commissioned the inquiry 22 years ago, said Hamill's case should serve as a "reminder" of what sectarianism can bring. He warned that sectarianism can only result in "murder, mayhem and misery". His comments came amid community tensions in Northern Ireland following a decision to allow the Orange Order to march through a largely nationalist enclave in Portadown for the first time in 28 years.

How it is being reported

• Hamill case ‘reminder’ of what sectarianism can bring, says ex-NI SecretaryThe murder of Robert Hamill should serve as a “reminder” to people in Portadown of what sectarianism can bring, a former Northern Ireland Secretary has said.News Letter · 13 Oct, 07:03
• Robert Hamill case ‘reminder’ of what sectarianism can bring, says ex-NI SecretaryAs the House of Lords debated the Hamill Inquiry report, Lord Murphy warned that sectarianism can only bring “murder, mayhem and misery”Belfast Live · 12 Oct, 21:51

In this story: Robert Hamill · Lord Murphy of Torfaen · Portadown · Orange Order · Sinn Féin · Michelle O'Neill

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