CHAPTER 3 WITNESS EVIDENCE RESTRICTION ORDER PURSUANT TO SECTION 19 OF THE INQUIRIES ACT 2005

This Restriction Order is made pursuant to section 19 of the Inquiries Act 2005 (“the Act”).

UPON the Inquiry receiving applications from witnesses who are being called to give oral evidence in Chapter 3 of the Inquiry;

AND UPON consulting with Core Participants and accredited media organisations as to the extent to which those applications would be opposed;

IT IS ORDERED THAT:

1. Upon the application of Hazel Hutson, the following measures shall be put in place for her evidence to the Inquiry in Chapter 3:
   1. Her evidence is to be treated as Operationally Sensitive pursuant to the Chairman’s ruling on Operationally Sensitive Material Restriction Orders and the Operationally Sensitive Restriction Order (‘OSRO’), both dated 13 January 2026.
   2. Pursuant to paragraphs 15 to 32 of the OSRO, dated 13 January 2026, all of the oral evidence of Hazel Hutson is to be heard in an Operationally Sensitive Restricted Hearing.
   3. Attendees in the hearing room or in the remote location in Omagh shall only limited to those in accordance with the OSRO, dated 13 January 2026.
   4. To reflect the fact that it is Operationally Sensitive, no part of Hazel Hutson’s evidence will be livestreamed, no transcript published or any aspect of the evidence given placed into the public domain, save for any application to vary or a variation made by the Chairman to this order.
   5. Notwithstanding the evidence of Hazel Hutson is to be given in an Operationally Sensitive Restricted Hearing, even if those measures are varied:
      1. When giving evidence, she will only be visible to those who are physically present in the Inquiry’s hearing room in Bradford Court, Belfast.
      2. there shall be no broadcast or publication of any still or moving image (whether from the live-feed or otherwise) which tends to identify Hazel Hutson, in connection with her oral evidence.
      3. there shall be no photograph, video or other image taken of Hazel Hutson within the precincts of, or entering or leaving the hearing venue at Bradford Court, Belfast for the purpose of publication in connection with her evidence to the Inquiry.
   6. Arrangements shall be put in place to enable Hazel Hutson to enter and leave the Inquiry hearing centre at Bradford Court, Belfast in a manner which protects her image from being made public.
2. Upon the application of Michael Peebles, the following measures shall be put in place for his evidence to the Inquiry in Chapter 3:
   1. There shall be no broadcast or publication of any still or moving image (whether from the live-feed, YouTube or otherwise) which tends to identify Michael Peebles in connection with his oral evidence.
   2. Arrangements to be put in place to enable Michael Peebles to enter and leave the Inquiry hearing centre at Bradford Court, Belfast in a manner which protects his image from being made public.
   3. No photograph, video or other image to be taken of Michael Peebles within the precincts of, or entering or leaving the hearing venue at Bradford Court, Belfast for the purpose of publication in connection with his evidence to the Inquiry.
   4. When giving evidence, Michael Peebles shall only be visible to those who are physically present in the Inquiry’s hearing room in Bradford Court, Belfast.
3. Upon the application of Bruce Park, the following measures shall be put in place for his evidence to the Inquiry in Chapter 3:
   1. There shall be no broadcast or publication of any still or moving image (whether from the live-feed, YouTube or otherwise) which tends to identify Bruce Park in connection with his oral evidence.
   2. Arrangements to be put in place to enable Bruce Park to enter and leave the Inquiry hearing centre at Bradford Court, Belfast in a manner which protects his image from being made public.
   3. No photograph, video or other image to be taken of Bruce Park within the precincts of, or entering or leaving the hearing venue at Bradford Court, Belfast for the purpose of publication in connection with his evidence to the Inquiry.
   4. When giving evidence, Bruce Park shall only be visible to those who are physically present in the Inquiry’s hearing room in Bradford Court, Belfast.
4. Upon the application of Brian McVicker, the following measures shall be put in place for his evidence to the Inquiry in Chapter 3:
   1. There shall be no broadcast or publication of any still or moving image (whether from the live-feed, YouTube or otherwise) which tends to identify Brian McVicker in connection with his oral evidence.
   2. Arrangements to be put in place to enable Brian McVicker to enter and leave the Inquiry hearing centre at Bradford Court, Belfast in a manner which protects his image from being made public.
   3. No photograph, video or other image to be taken of Brian McVicker within the precincts of, or entering or leaving the hearing venue at Bradford Court, Belfast for the purpose of publication in connection with his evidence to the Inquiry.
   4. When giving evidence, Brian McVicker shall only be visible to Core Participants, recognised legal representatives, the Chairman, members of the Inquiry Team and those necessary for the function of the hearings who are present in the Inquiry’s hearing room in Bradford Court, Belfast.
   5. Accredited media and members of the public shall only be permitted to follow the evidence of Brian McVicker on the video feed, on which he will not be visible.

Penal Notice

Any breach of this Order, failure to comply with it or threat to do so, can be certified to the High Court or the Court of Session under section 36 of the Act. A Court will deal with any breach, failure to comply, or threat of failure to comply as though it had occurred in proceedings before that Court.

The High Court and the Court of Session have the power to imprison or fine for any breach of this Order.

Rt. Hon. Lord Turnbull
Inquiry Chairman
Updated 6 October 2026