British govt must hold inquiry into Brown murder
- In May 2025, the Belfast Court of Appeal determined that the UK government is legally obligated to conduct a public investigation into the killing of GAA figure Sean Brown in County Londonderry in 1997.
- This decision comes after the government previously declined to launch an inquiry and follows intelligence suggesting that over two dozen individuals, among them some state operatives, were connected to Brown’s death.
- Brown was abducted and shot dead by loyalist paramilitaries while locking the gates of Bellaghy Wolfe Tones GAA club in May 1997, and no one has been convicted for the murder.
- Northern Ireland Secretary Hilary Benn confirmed plans to challenge the court ruling in the UK Supreme Court, a move criticized by Brown’s family and politicians as “cruel and inhumane” and “appalling”.
- The family continues to oppose delays and urges Benn to comply with court orders for a public inquiry, emphasizing the need for truth after nearly 28 years without lawful investigation.
7 Articles
7 Articles


Brown family ‘vindicated’ after court orders Government to set up public inquiry
The widow and children of murdered GAA official Sean Brown urged Northern Ireland Secretary Hilary Benn against taking the case to the Supreme Court.
Family of murdered GAA official applauded outside court
Brendan Hughes News NI A crowd applauded the family as they arrived at the court in Belfast The family of a GAA official who was killed by loyalists have been applauded by a crowd of supporters as they arrived at the Court of Appeal in Belfast for the latest hearing in their bid to secure a public inquiry. Sean Brown was shot dead in 1997 after being abducted outside a GAA club in Bellaghy, County Londonderry. The court has ruled that the gove…
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