January 4, 2023

Bereaved Family Members To Have Their Say As CoE On Diving Tragedy Resumes

By Newsroom

At least two close relatives of the victims of last February’s diving tragedy will have a chance to speak on their loved one’s behalf during live evidential hearings of the Commission of Enquiry.

Chairman, King’s Counsel Jerome Lynch says the family members will not be cross examined by lawyers, but rather they will be allowed to prepare a statement they wish to present to the Committee.   

He was speaking at the CoE held its first hearing for 2023 on Wednesday.

“I want them to understand that we, the Commission will regard that as important evidence. We will not, I make it absolutely clear, permit anyone to be cross examined.  They should feel completely at ease to say that which they want to say. What weight we’ll give it is a matter for us. I don’t want them to feel like they don’t wish to give evidence simply because of the prospect of facing lawyers who may ask questions which they might find difficult to answer. That will not happen, I will not permit it to happen… We will treat them with the extent of sympathy they deserve,” Chairman Lynch said.

He further clarified: “It’s not an opportunity for them to have a rant about who they think is responsible one way or the other. I want to understand what they had to suffer and the circumstances in which, in particular, they awaited the outcome of what they believed to be a rescue attempt.”

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