West Belfast Sinn Féin Sinn Féin -- Building an Ireland of Equals

Cush - 'The Time Has Come For the Truth About Pearse Jordan's Murder'

Published: 19 January, 2009

Greater Ballymurphy Sinn Fein councillor Maire Cush has given her full support to the family of Pearse Jordan ahead of a hearing set to take place in Laganside on Thursday 22nd January in relation to the repeatedly delayed inquest into Pearse's death.

Ms Cush said:

''The time has come for the truth to come out in the case of Pearse Jordan.

''Hugh and Teresa Jordan have struggled with dignity for 16 years to assert their right to know what happened. With no inquiry, the Jordan family have asserted their right to an inquest, a very modest demand.

''Since Pearse was killed, the Jordans have gone to court over 130 times in their battle for truth.

''In 2001 the case was brought, along with others, to the European Court of Human Rights and the court ruled that the British government had failed to properly investigate the killing.

''This was a landmark human rights ruling. Instead of obeying it, and enabling the Jordan family to commence the inquest, further obstacles have been erected by the British government and the PSNI.

''Documents have still not been made available to the Jordan family's legal team by the PSNI.

''The PSNI need to release all the documents requested by the Jordan family's legal team. This court appearance will seek, yet again, to address the need for disclosure of all relevant documents.

''The identities of those in the RUC who were involved have not been revealed.

''Records of what happened have been tampered with,'' said Ms Cush.

The Ballymurphy councillor continued:

''The Jordan family have fought for 16 years for the truth. To know how your son has died is surely one of the most fundamental rights any parent must have.

''Sinn Féin has used our role on the Policing Board and on the West Belfast District Policing Partnership to assert the rights of the Jordan family and Sinn Féin President Gerry Adams has raised the case with the British secretary of state and with the PSNI.

''I will be in court on Thursday, 22 January, along with the chairperson of the Greater Ballymurphy/Pearse Jordan Cumann, to give my full support to the Jordan family in their continuing efforts to achieve truth and justice for their son.

''I also want to say that the Jordan family have the full support of the greater Ballymurphy community and members of our community will be showing their support on Thursday also.

''The time has come for the truth and we will not stop until we get it.''