The UK Supreme Court in London heard arguments on Tuesday in the government's appeal against a court order to hold a public inquiry into the murder of Sean Brown, a GAA official killed in 1997.

Mr Brown, 61, chairman of Bellaghy Wolfe Tones GAA club in County Londonderry, was abducted while locking the club gates in May 1997 and shot dead by loyalist paramilitaries. No one has been convicted.

The government is challenging rulings by the High Court and Court of Appeal in Belfast that found the refusal to hold a public inquiry was unlawful. The family of Sean Brown, including daughters Siobhan Brown and Clare Loughran, attended the hearing in London. His widow, Bridie Brown, aged 89, did not travel due to health reasons.

Preliminary inquest proceedings in 2024 heard that more than 25 people were linked by intelligence to the murder, including several state agents. A Police Ombudsman review found the original police investigation was incomplete and inadequate.

The government argues that the case should be dealt with by the Independent Commission for Reconciliation and Information Recovery (ICRIR) once it is reformed into a Legacy Commission. Lawyers for the Brown family argue that a public inquiry is necessary because of state involvement and the need for full disclosure.

Sinn Féin leader Mary Lou McDonald called on the government to abandon the appeal and establish an inquiry. The family has said they will not engage with the ICRIR.

The hearing is expected to conclude on Tuesday, with a judgment reserved for a later date.