A High Court judge has adjourned judicial review applications from four families linked to six murders during the Troubles. The cases involve killings in Armagh, Tyrone and Antrim. The delay awaits a Supreme Court ruling in a separate legacy case.

The applicants are Bernadette McKearney, Anthony Fox, Linda Hewitt and Raymond McCord. Their claims relate to the 1992 murders of Kevin McKearney and John McKearney in Moy, Co Tyrone. Gunmen entered a butcher shop and shot both men.

Later in 1992, Charles Fox and Teresa Fox were shot dead in their Moy home. They were the parents of Bernadette McKearney and related to Anthony Fox.

Laurence Maguire received a life sentence for five murders, including the Fox killings. He admitted acting as getaway driver for the Fox murders and buying a car used in the McKearney murder.

A Historical Enquiries Team report found eight shortcomings in the original police investigation of the McKearney murders. No inquest took place.

Linda Hewitt represents her brother Samuel Marshall. He was shot dead by loyalists in Lurgan, Co Armagh, on March 7, 1990, while walking from an RUC station after signing bail.

Raymond McCord represents his son Raymond McCord Jr. His body was found beaten at Ballyduff Quarry, Newtownabbey, on November 9, 1997. A Police Ombudsman investigation identified RUC investigative failures.

The High Court heard the applications for leave to seek judicial review on February 2, 2026. The families request mandatory orders for the Secretary of State to hold public inquiries into the deaths.

In each case, inquests involved allegations of state involvement and national security materials. Three inquests closed due to public interest immunity issues. The McCord inquest closed under statutory rules after disclosure delays.

The Secretary of State agrees the cases could proceed under current Northern Ireland law. He requested a pause pending the Supreme Court decision in Re Dillon, a challenge to the Northern Ireland Troubles (Legacy and Reconciliation) Act 2023 by families including one from Dungannon.

The judge ruled the adjournment proportionate. Further submissions will follow the Supreme Court judgment, with dates set for review.