Court Rules UK Government's Inquiry Refusal Unlawful in Sean Brown Case

The UK Court of Appeal has ruled that the government’s refusal to conduct a public inquiry into the 1997 murder of GAA official Sean Brown is unlawful, giving Secretary of State Hilary Benn four weeks to reconsider the decision. Brown was kidnapped and murdered by loyalist paramilitaries, and intelligence has linked state agents to the case. The court emphasized the need for an independent investigation to address concerns regarding sensitive material and to comply with Article 2 obligations of the European Convention on Human Rights. No one has been convicted for Brown’s murder, and the government had previously attempted to appeal a High Court ruling that mandated a public inquiry. Brown's family expressed hope for justice, urging the Secretary of State to act on the court's directive. The case highlights long-standing issues surrounding state complicity in paramilitary violence in Northern Ireland.