On this day, thirty-six years ago, James and Ellen Sefton were murdered by PIRA.

In the intervening years the case has been investigated by the RUC, the HET, PONI, Operation Kenova and latterly, ICRIR.

So far not a scintilla of evidence has been uncovered or revealed. Despite what we now know about the penetration of PIRA by the state, both by human intelligence in the shape of informers and by electronic means.

I approached the ICRIR, twenty-two months ago.

Disappointingly, on 11^th May 2026, the report of the May review was published.

Of significance are the following recommendations.

Recommendation 2 

That the Board engage an independent expert in investigations to provide them with assurance that investigative practice is in line with stated objectives and pace at least every six months. This expertise could be drawn from the Expert Advisory Group already in place to avoid duplication. 

Recommendation 3 

That the Commission prepare communications to Requesting Individuals and the public outlining what their current level of resourcing can and cannot achieve. The communications plan should also provide those dealing with RIs with the supporting information to respond to the likely concerns such communications will cause. The current position is in any case likely to become public, so early implementation of this recommendation is important. If it can be tied to a successful early outcome to recommendation 1 (and the OBC) then that is all and good but it should not be held back pending that given the risk it will take time to finalise. 

The general tenor of the report is that, aside from investigative difficulties, either through lack of manpower or inadequate skill levels, or both; there are also serious administrative and financial issues. 

Sir Declan Morgan’s response was:

I want to assure those that have come to us for help, that none of the recommendations in the review relate to our pursuit of individual investigations.  The Supreme Court’s recent ruling in the Dillon and others case has found the Commission is independent and rejected the challenge to our Article 2 compliance.

A somewhat unusual response in the circumstances you might think. It might well  engender the Belfast reply “Declan, its me you’re talking to”

Unlike some, I was willing to give the ICRIR a fair wind, in the hope that it was not simply HET v2.0. So I’m looking forward to the implementation of recommendations 2 and 3, in particular.

Of significance in my parents’ case is information held by An Garda Siochana. The accessing and use of this information, which may be valuable evidence, appears at present to be problematic, according to the Republic’s statements. It will be a test of whether or not co-operation from the Republic is a sham or a reality. It will also be a test of the ICRIR’s strengths.

So, I enter the thirty seventh year without any sign of an outcome from ICRIR or any communication as recommended.

I’m trusting that my hope is not mis-placed.