Rally hears calls for RUC members in Pearse Jordan killing to be investigated for perjury

TWO Royal Ulster Constabulary officers who gave evidence to an inquest into the killing of unarmed IRA Volunteer Pearse Jordan in 1992 should be investigated to see if they committed perjury or perverted the course of justice, a commemoration in Belfast heard at the weekend.

It was an echo of a call by lawyers acting for the family of Pearse Jordan (pictured) during an inquest hearing earlier this month.

Royal Ulster Constabulary officers known as “Officer M” and “Officer Q” testified during the inquest into the 1992 killing which ended last week with Coroner Justice Horner failing to reach a conclusive verdict.

In his summing up, Horner said:

“At the remove of a quarter of a century, I am simply not able to reach a concluded view which is fair and just as to whether the use of lethal force was justified or not.”

He went on to say that he was not convinced by the claims of the family that Pearse Jordan was killed as part of an RUC shoot-to-kill operation. Nor was he persuaded by the RUC version and that of “Sergeant A” – who fired the fatal shots – that the RUC acted in self-defence.

● Members of Pearse Jordan’s family, including parents Teresa and Hugh, with local Sinn Féin activists at this week’s commemoration

Barrister Karen Quinlivan, who represents the Jordan family, told a hearing on Thursday 10 November that “M” and “Q” should should be investigated for possibly perverting the course of justice and for giving perjured testimony.

Even Judge Horner said during the inquest that the police officers had been “untruthful” and that one or both may have edited log books.

Calling for the two RUC members to have their anonymity removed and for any alleged wrongdoing to be referred to the Director of Public Prosecutions Quinlivan said:

“The allegation is that two police officers perverted the course of justice in a murder inquiry – that's not minor, that's serious – and thereafter perjured themselves in an inquest.

“If somebody is suspected of involvement in serious misconduct that’s a factor which should give rise to a review of anonymity.”

Last Sunday, an event to mark the 24th anniversary of the killing of IRA Volunteer Pearse Jordan was organised in west Belfast by the Éire Nua Republican Flute Band, of which Pearse was a member.

People paraded to the memorial plaque at Hugo Street on the Falls Road, close to where the 22-year-old was gunned down.

West Belfast Sinn Féin MLA Pat Sheehan, who was the main speaker, commended the Jordan family, particularly Hugh and Teresa, Pearse’s parents, for their tenacity over the many years they have fought for justice for their son.

“Despite the many obstacles put in their way by the British state they have fought on winning battle after battle in the pursuit of justice,” the senior Sinn Féin elected representative said in salute to the family, friends and comrades still campaigning for justice for Pearse Jordan.

● The Óglach Seán ‘Maxi’ McIlvenna Band from Glasgow formed part of a larger contingent from Scotland showing solidarity