Billy Wright was the leader of the notorious Loyalist Volunteer Force which was responsible for sectarian assassinations in north Armagh.
He was shot dead by the INLA in the Maze jail where he was a prisoner, on December 27th, 1997. INLA prisoners were convicted of the murder, but there are lingering concerns, voiced principally by Wright's father, that officials aided the gunmen.
Wright was shot as he was being transferred by prison officers and questions persist about the monitoring of the transfer. A TV camera was found not to be working.
Judge Cory said he was "satisfied...there is sufficient evidence of collusive acts by prison authorities to warrant the holding of a public inquiry."
"These collusive acts could be found as occurring in the following incidents: First and foremost: the transfer of Billy Wright together with other LVF prisoners to C & D wings of H Block 6 at a time when INLA prisoners...were to be housed in A & B wings of the same H Block 6.
"This act must be considered in light of the lack of control and security in the Maze, particularly the ease of access to the roof, and the violent nature of these rival factions. This action in and of itself, is sufficient evidence of collusion to warrant the holding of a public inquiry," the judge concluded.
Judge Cory was also concerned with
- The "apparent turning of a blind eye" to the warnings of officers regarding dangers of housing INLA and LVF factions in the same H Block
- the threats from INLA to murder Wright
- the failure to take any steps to protect Billy Wright, either by moving the LVF or by improving security in H Block 6.
- The possession of firearms by two INLA members, Christopher McWilliams and John Kennaway, while they were located in H Block 6 after it was known that they had obtained firearms in Maghaberry with a view to killing Billy Wright.
- The circulation of the lists of visits for both the INLA and LVF prisoners on the December 27th, 1997.
- The standing down of the guard for the Observation Tower overlooking A and B wings.