A review into the so-called 'comfort letters' scheme for on-the-run IRA suspects has uncovered two more cases where errors were made, according to Lady Justice Hallett's report. The scheme, which sent letters of assurance to nearly 200 republican suspects, was found to have systemic flaws.
The review was ordered by Prime Minister David Cameron after the trial of John Downey collapsed. Downey, accused of murdering four soldiers in the 1982 Hyde Park bombing, walked free after it emerged he had received a letter clearing him to travel to the UK.
Lady Justice Hallett stated that the scheme was not well publicised and kept 'below the radar', but she insisted it did not amount to an amnesty. However, critics, including Democratic Unionist First Minister Peter Robinson, described it as a 'get out of jail free card' for Downey and potentially for others.
Northern Ireland's chief constable, George Hamilton, apologised to the Hyde Park victims and said it was 'highly unlikely' the two additional errors would lead to further collapsed cases, as mitigation measures had been put in place.
Northern Ireland Secretary Theresa Villiers apologised again for the hurt caused and confirmed that the on-the-run scheme is now over. The government has accepted the report's conclusions and recommendations.
