Long-awaited inquest into death of Kevin McGuigan to be heard early next year

A long-awaited inquest into the death of Kevin McGuigan in Belfast is set to be heard early next year, the coroner’s court heard.

The father-of-nine was shot in the Short Strand in Belfast in August 2015.

His murder prompted a political crisis at Stormont amid claims IRA members were involved in the killing.

An inquest into Mr McGuigan’s death has seen delays, including around the disclosure of security files.

A preliminary hearing on Friday was told that the process is nearing completion.

Peter Coll KC, for the Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI), said they are coming towards the last stages of working of the legal opinion and are working towards having that finished within the next week to 10 days.

“Thereafter, the matter will then proceed for consideration by the public interest immunity (PII) decision maker,” he said.

“From our perspective we are pretty much on track.”

Coroner Patrick McGurgan said he had moved locations, and a timetabling difficulty had arisen with dates in December he had set aside for the inquest.

It was agreed that a separate three-day hearing to consider any applications made by police or the security services to redact evidence on public interest immunity (PII) grounds will take place in December.

Another preliminary hearing is set to take place on October 18 with dates to be agreed for early in the new year to hear the inquest over two weeks.

Mr McGurgan said: “I appreciate the family want this case completed, everyone’s experience of me as a coroner is that I am very keen on getting matters to an end, but obviously we have to do it right as well, first and foremost.”

The shooting of Mr McGuigan followed the murder of ex-IRA commander Jock Davison in the Markets area of the city three months earlier.

Mr Davison and Mr McGuigan had been involved in a personal dispute.

Police believe Mr McGuigan’s killers suspected him of involvement in Mr Davison’s death.

Mr McGuigan’s death led then-PSNI chief constable Sir George Hamilton to state that the Provisional IRA still existed and some of its members were involved in the murder.

He said there was no evidence that the killing was sanctioned by the organisation.

The killing led to a period of instability at Stormont, with DUP ministers engaging in a series of rolling resignations in protest at the IRA’s alleged involvement in the shooting.