Ombudsman dies

Last Updated on Saturday, 17 September 2016, 13:53 by Denis Chabrol

Guyana’s Ombudsman, Retired Justice Winston Moore died Friday, plunging the legal fraternity into mourning.

His death after a prolonged illness came two years after he was appointed in January 2014. President David Granger, in a message of condolence, states that “the Cooperative Republic of Guyana mourns the passing of the Honourable Justice Winston Lennox Mc Lennon Moore, Ombudsman of Guyana, who passed away on Friday September 16, 2016.”

“His Excellency Brigadier David Granger, MSS, President of the Cooperative Republic of Guyana extends heartfelt sympathy to his wife, Ms. Viera Moore and children; Nichole, Gary, Gavin and Kevin, as well as other family members and friends of the late Justice Winston Moore.”

An Ombudsman examines complaints by members of the public who feel that they have been unfairly treated by public bodies. Prior to Moore’s appointment  on January 13, 2014 under the then People’s Progressive Party Civic (PPPC) administration, Guyana has not had an Ombudsman since the retirement of Justice Sheik Mohamed in 2005.

While a High Court Judge, he had presided over the trial of treason accused Mark Benschop which had ended in a hung jury after one juror had maintained that Benschop was guilty. Benschop was later pardoned by then President Bharrat Jagdeo.

Moore was a former officer of the Guyana Defence Force (GDF) and a former employee of the then Inland Revenue Service (IRS), the precursor to the Guyana Revenue Authority (GRA).

Justice Moore began his legal career as an Attorney-at-Law in 1983. In 1998, he was appointed high Court Judge.  In 2007 Justice Moore served as the Judge Advocate for Guyana Defence Force.