Government confirms plan to appeal ECtHR ruling on Hooded Men

In March, the ECtHR dismissed the Government’s application to revise the Ireland v United Kingdom ruling, which found that the Hooded Men were subjected to inhuman and degrading treatment but not torture.

The revision was sought after the Government received a large number of documents in 2014 which had not been disclosed by the British Government at the time of the original hearing.

The daughter of one of the Hooded Men yesterday launched an application for judicial review of the Government, as it had not made an announcement regarding the appeal with a strict deadline looming.

Solicitor Michael Halleron of Madden & Finucane Solicitors, representing Mary McKenna, daughter of Sean McKenna, said he was contacted by the Department of Foreign Affairs shortly after the application was filed to advise that a decision had been made.

Solicitor Darragh Mackin of Belfast firm KRW Law, who acts for the Hooded Men, said: “We warmly welcome the position adopted by the Irish Government in today’s decision.

“From the day on which the judgment was handed down, we have engaged with the Irish Government in calling for an urgent appeal to be lodged. The international significance of this case is duly reflected by the fact that this case will now be referred to the highest Court in Europe. The grounds were self-evident. We now look forward to an expeditious hearing in the Grand Chamber.”