Ireland is to take the UK to the European Court of Human Rights over the Government’s ban on new Troubles-era court cases.

Ireland’s deputy premier Micheal Martin said the interstate case would argue that the provisions of the Northern Ireland Troubles (Legacy and Reconciliation) Act 2023 are incompatible with the United Kingdom’s obligations under the European Convention on Human Rights.

The controversial legislation, which offers an amnesty for atrocities committed during Northern Ireland’s 30 years of conflict, received royal assent in September despite widespread opposition from political parties, victims’ organisations in Northern Ireland and the Irish government.

Aspects of the laws include a limited form of immunity from prosecution for Troubles-related offences for those who cooperate with the new Independent Commission for Reconciliation and Information Recovery (ICRIR).

The new Act will also halt future civil cases and legacy inquests.

‘Left with few options’

Mr Martin previously said there were concerns the bill did not comply with Article 2 of the European Convention on Human Rights, which protects the right to life.

It is opposed by the DUP and Sinn Fein, as well as the government in Dublin, rights groups and all the other political parties on the island of Ireland.

They argue that its conditional amnesty to accused killers during the Troubles will rob victims of justice from the IRA or British forces.

Mr Martin said: “This decision was taken after much thought and careful consideration.

“I regret that we find ourselves in a position where such a choice had to be made.

“However, the decision by the British Government not to proceed with the 2014 Stormont House Agreement and instead pursue legislation unilaterally, without effective engagement with the legitimate concerns that we, and many others, raised left us with few options.

“The British Government removed the political option, and has left us only this legal avenue.”