This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-northern-ireland-26359906

The article has changed 5 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 3 Version 4
On the Runs - the key questions over secret IRA letters On the Runs - Hallett review and key questions
(5 months later)
Who are the on the runs?Who are the on the runs?
The Northern Ireland Good Friday Agreement of 1998 meant anyone convicted of paramilitary crimes was eligible for early release. However, this did not cover those suspected of such crimes, nor did it cover people who had been charged or convicted but who had escaped from prison.The Northern Ireland Good Friday Agreement of 1998 meant anyone convicted of paramilitary crimes was eligible for early release. However, this did not cover those suspected of such crimes, nor did it cover people who had been charged or convicted but who had escaped from prison.
Negotiations continued after the signing of the agreement between Sinn Féin and the government over how to deal with those known as On the Runs.Negotiations continued after the signing of the agreement between Sinn Féin and the government over how to deal with those known as On the Runs.
Sinn Féin sought a scheme that would allow escaped prisoners and those who were concerned they might be arrested to return to the UK, but a formal legal solution proved difficult to establish in the face of strong unionist opposition.Sinn Féin sought a scheme that would allow escaped prisoners and those who were concerned they might be arrested to return to the UK, but a formal legal solution proved difficult to establish in the face of strong unionist opposition.
Against this backdrop, the IRA had still not put its weapons beyond use and Sinn Féin needed grassroots republicans to continue supporting the peace process.Against this backdrop, the IRA had still not put its weapons beyond use and Sinn Féin needed grassroots republicans to continue supporting the peace process.
On The Runs: Search for a solutionOn The Runs: Search for a solution
How did the government deal with it? What are the On the Runs letters?
In May 2000, a process to deal with On the Runs was agreed at a meeting between British and Irish officials and Sinn Féin at the Irish embassy in London. In May 2000, Prime Minister Tony Blair told Sinn Féin President Gerry Adams that if he provided details of those on the run, these would be examined by the attorney general in consultation with the police and the director of public prosecutions, "with a view to giving a response within a month if at all possible".
Prime Minister Tony Blair wrote to Sinn Féin president Gerry Adams confirming that if he provided details of the cases, these would be examined by the attorney general in consultation with the police and the director of prosecutions "with a view to giving a response within a month if at all possible". Senior legal figures were concerned this could undermine the criminal justice system, with the attorney general warning Northern Ireland Secretary John Reid in 2002 that it could not become an amnesty.
This was not made public. Joint proposals in May 2003 by the British and Irish governments about dealing with On the Runs did not receive enough support to be implemented. These were published amid efforts to get the IRA to destroy its weapons, something that was independently verified two years later.
Senior legal figures were not happy with the approach. The attorney general wrote to Northern Ireland Secretary Peter Mandelson saying he was "seriously concerned" that the scheme could severely undermine confidence in the criminal justice system.
Mandelson's successor John Reid was also warned by the attorney general in 2002 that it could not become an amnesty and every case would have to be dealt with on the merits of the evidence.
Judgement lays bare secret scheme
Was legislation ever put in place?
In May 2003, proposals about dealing with On the Runs were published as part of a joint declaration by the British and Irish governments. By now the issue was linked with decommissioning of IRA weapons.
Two years later, it was verified by an independent body that the IRA had completely destroyed its arms.
In 2006, an attempt to introduce legislation was shelved in the face of widespread opposition. Sinn Féin's rejection of it, because it would have also covered the Army and police and those guilty of collusion in crimes, made it unworkable.In 2006, an attempt to introduce legislation was shelved in the face of widespread opposition. Sinn Féin's rejection of it, because it would have also covered the Army and police and those guilty of collusion in crimes, made it unworkable.
Sinn Féin rejects on-the-run bill Another secret letter from Mr Blair to Mr Adams in December 2006 outlined mechanisms to resolve outstanding On the Run cases, including "expediting the existing administrative procedures".
What happened next? In February 2007, the Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) began a review of people regarded as "wanted" in connection with terrorist-related offences before the Good Friday Agreement, and what basis, if any, they had to seek arrests.
In December 2006, Mr Blair wrote a confidential letter to Mr Adams telling him the government was working on putting in place mechanisms to resolve outstanding On the Run cases, including "expediting the existing administrative procedures".
In February 2007, the Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) began Operation Rapid, the operational name for a review of people regarded as "wanted" in connection with terrorist-related offences before the Good Friday Agreement.
The review examined what basis, if any, the PSNI had to seek the arrest of individuals identified by Sinn Féin to the government and passed to the chief constable.
The then secretary of state, Peter Hain wanted the scheme to be run in secret. The PSNI had prepared a statement for journalists, should the scheme get into the public domain, but the work was never disclosed.The then secretary of state, Peter Hain wanted the scheme to be run in secret. The PSNI had prepared a statement for journalists, should the scheme get into the public domain, but the work was never disclosed.
Why are we only finding out about this now? Judgement lays bare secret scheme
None of this was made public, and details of these assurances only emerged when the deal was brought before an Old Bailey judge. Sinn Féin rejects on-the-run bill
How did it become public knowledge?
The details only became more widely known in February 2014 when a case against a suspected IRA bomber collapsed at the Old Bailey.
County Donegal man John Downey was to go on trial charged with killing four soldiers in the 1982 IRA Hyde Park bombing.
However, he cited an official letter he had received in 2007 saying: "There are no warrants in existence, nor are you wanted in Northern Ireland for arrest, questioning or charging by police. The Police Service of Northern Ireland are not aware of any interest in you by any other police force."
The judge ruled that Mr Downey, who denied any involvement in the bombing, should not be prosecuted because he was given a guarantee he would not face trial.
Mr Justice Sweeney heard from Sinn Féin's Gerry Kelly that 187 people had received letters assuring them they did not face arrest and prosecution for IRA crimes.Mr Justice Sweeney heard from Sinn Féin's Gerry Kelly that 187 people had received letters assuring them they did not face arrest and prosecution for IRA crimes.
John Downey, from Donegal in the Republic of Ireland, was given one of these letters in 2007. Mr Downey denied killing four soldiers in the 1982 IRA Hyde Park bombing.
The judge ruled that he should not be prosecuted because he was given a guarantee he would not face trial.
How court hearing revealed extent of deal
Why was John Downey's letter a "dreadful mistake"?
This was how Prime Minister David Cameron described the letter while addressing the Commons on Wednesday.
John Downey was arrested in May 2013 at Gatwick Airport, en route to Greece, and charged with the murders and bomb attack. He had travelled to the UK on four previous occasions since 2010.
The Old Bailey was told he had received a clear written assurance from the government that he would not be tried.
He cited an official letter he had received in 2007 saying: "There are no warrants in existence, nor are you wanted in Northern Ireland for arrest, questioning or charging by police. The Police Service of Northern Ireland are not aware of any interest in you by any other police force."
He said his alleged offences had been categorised as one of the On the Run cases that would no longer be pursued in the light of progress in the peace process.
The Northern Ireland Office issued the assurance on receipt of information from the PSNI, but while they soon realised he was still wanted by colleagues in Scotland Yard over the Hyde Park bombing, the letter was never withdrawn.The Northern Ireland Office issued the assurance on receipt of information from the PSNI, but while they soon realised he was still wanted by colleagues in Scotland Yard over the Hyde Park bombing, the letter was never withdrawn.
The Crown Prosecution Service had argued that the assurance was given in error - but the judge said it amounted to a "catastrophic failure" that misled the defendant. A trial would therefore be an abuse of executive power. The Crown Prosecution Service had argued that the assurance was given in error - but the judge said it amounted to a "catastrophic failure" that misled the defendant.
How many of these assurances have been given? How court hearing revealed extent of deal
Why do some Conservative MPs want Bloody Sunday prosecutions dropped? Why was Lady Justice Hallett appointed to conduct a review?
They argue that if people involved in paramilitary crimes during the Troubles can be allowed to walk free, paratroopers involved in Bloody Sunday should not face the courts. The news that Mr Downey would not face trial prompted an immediate outcry, with Prime Minister David Cameron telling the Commons that the letter he received in error had been a "dreadful mistake".
A criminal investigation is currently under way into the killing of 14 unarmed civilians by the Army at a civil rights march in Londonderry in 1972. Mr Cameron said a judge would be appointed to lead a review of the scheme.
It is understood a letter is to be written to the prime minister calling on him to lift the threat of any criminal prosecution against the soldiers. DUP leader Peter Robinson had threatened to resign as Northern Ireland's first minister unless there was a judge-led inquiry, but after Mr Cameron's announcement, he said he was happy with the inquiry's terms of reference.
One MP said: "I'm damned if they should be given an amnesty and former soldiers left hanging there; uncertain over whether they might face prosecution." Robinson quit threat over Hyde Park case
1,000 Bloody Sunday witnesses to be questioned Robinson welcomes letters review
What will the inquiry involve? What has Lady Justice Hallett's inquiry been examining?
Prime Minister David Cameron said a judge would lead a review that will report by the end of May. Lady Justice Hallett was appointed in March to lead the review.
DUP leader Peter Robinson had threatened to resign as Northern Ireland's first minister unless this happened, but after Mr Cameron's announcement, he said he was happy with the inquiry's terms of reference. She is the fifth woman to sit as judge in the Court of Appeal. In 2009 she was chosen to act as coroner in the inquest into the deaths of 52 people in the London bombings of 7 July 2005.
It will produce a full public account of the operation and extent of the scheme for On the Runs to determine whether any letters contained errors. Downing Street said the terms of reference of her review were to produce a full public account of the operation and extent of the scheme to determine whether any letters contained errors.
The judge will be able to seek to interview anyone, but will not be able to compel witnesses to attend. Evidence will not be given in public. The judge was able to seek to interview anyone, but she did not have the power to compel witnesses to attend. Evidence was not given in public.
It will not alter the decision not to appeal the Downey case. It could not alter the decision not to appeal the Downey case.
Lady Justice Hallett to head review
Terms of judge-led inquiry 'limited'
What did her review find?
In her report, the judge said the letters were not an amnesty and the scheme had been lawful.
However, she found "significant systemic failures" in how it operated, and the letter to Mr Downey was the result of a "catastrophic mistake" by the PSNI.
"The administrative scheme was kept 'below the radar' due to its political sensitivity, but it would be wrong to characterise the scheme as 'secret'," she said.
There was enough information in the public domain for anyone keeping a close eye on Northern Ireland affairs to have known there was such as scheme, she said.
The judge said she had "detected no sinister motive in the failure to notify the minister for justice, the first minister and the Policing Board of the scheme".
"The hope seems to have been that the scheme could be brought quietly to a close without generating the kind of controversy we have seen in recent months.
"Whether that was a wise policy is for others to decide."
Letter deal 'flawed but not amnesty'
Politicians react to Hallett review
Are there any other inquiries examining what happened?
MPs at Westminster's Northern Ireland Affairs Select Committee are continuing to hold a series of public evidence sessions looking at several key questions:
Witnesses who have appeared before the committee include former Northern Ireland secretaries Peter Hain and Paul Murphy, current and former senior police officers, former detectives involved in administering the scheme and relatives of victims of the Troubles.
Sinn Féin said in June that Gerry Kelly had declined to appear before the Westminster committee as the party had already met Lady Justice Hallett's review team.
Separately, police in Northern Ireland are reviewing the process that led to the issuing of the letters.
A team of 16 detectives has been investigating the circumstances of each of those who received a letter, as well as re-examining the original checks by a specialist PSNI team that led to the Public Prosecution Service being told none of the individuals were wanted.
Police team reviews on the runs cases
So after all this, is the scheme still going on?
No. Secretary of State Theresa Villiers said in March that since December 2012, no letters have been issued by the Northern Ireland Office.
Five outstanding applications from republican suspects would not be processed by the government, she said.