Crossword Genius

Ruined in brutal public inquiry? (8)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

tribunal

I'm a little stuck... Click here to teach me more about this clue!

'public inquiry?' is the definition.
Although both the answer and definition are singular nouns, I cannot understand how one could define the other.

'ruined in brutal' is the wordplay.
'ruined' indicates anagramming the letters.
'in'+'brutal'='inbrutal'
'inbrutal' is an anagram of 'TRIBUNAL'.

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for tribunal that I've seen before include "Assembly to conduct judicial business" , "examination" , "Court of arbitration - unlit bar (anag)" , "Adjudication body" , "Adjudicating board" .)

I've seen this clue in The Irish Times.
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