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08/02/2002
Policing Board revamp investigation in bid to end rift
In a bid to end the rift between the Police Ombudsman and the Chief Constable, the Policing Board have decided to appoint a senior officer from England to conduct the investigation into the Omagh bombing.
The board hope that this will draw to an end the bitter acrimony that has developed between the Chief Constable, Sir Ronnie Flanagan, and the Police Ombudsman Nuala O'Loan following the publication of a highly critical report by the Police Ombudsman, which examined the police investigation into the 1998 bombing of Omagh by the Real IRA that killed 29 people.
Following intensive talks by the Policing Board on Thursday, the cross-community body reached a unanimous decision to appoint a senior police officer to jointly oversee the inquiry.
While, the Board noted that Detective Superintendent Brian McArthur should continue in his present role as the senior officer in charge of the investigation, the board further proposed that the senior officer from Merseyside who had been appointed by Sir Ronnie Flanagan in an advisory capacity should be elevated to have an equal status to that of the Superintendent McArthur.
In a statement Police Board Chairman Desmond Rea said the Board remained committed to ensuring that accountability and transparency are the foundations of the policing service. However, he added that following discussions between the Board, the Police Ombudsman and the Chief Constable it was agreed, on the basis of the information available, that the Omagh Bombing could not have been prevented.
Mr Rea said: “The Board acknowledges that lessons have been learned on all sides in relation to this process but believes that these recommendations will serve to enhance the true professionalism and service of all officers within the Police Service of Northern Ireland. They will also ensure wider community confidence in the effectiveness and efficiency of the Police Service."
Following the decision Policing Board members said that, while the first consideration had to be for the needs and concerns of the bereaved Omagh families, confidence in the Omagh murder inquiry and policing had be restored.
Commenting on the Policing Board report, Chief Constable Sir Ronnie Flanagan said: "I warmly welcome the proposal about the review of the working of the Police Ombudsman's Office. With proper mechanisms for accountability in place the problems which have arisen in this instance should be avoided in the future."
However, Police Ombudsman Nuala O'Loan, who was said to be furious at the Policing Board's implementation of many of the Chief Constable's recommendations and the decision to review the ombudsman's office, is considering the board's report.
(SP)
The board hope that this will draw to an end the bitter acrimony that has developed between the Chief Constable, Sir Ronnie Flanagan, and the Police Ombudsman Nuala O'Loan following the publication of a highly critical report by the Police Ombudsman, which examined the police investigation into the 1998 bombing of Omagh by the Real IRA that killed 29 people.
Following intensive talks by the Policing Board on Thursday, the cross-community body reached a unanimous decision to appoint a senior police officer to jointly oversee the inquiry.
While, the Board noted that Detective Superintendent Brian McArthur should continue in his present role as the senior officer in charge of the investigation, the board further proposed that the senior officer from Merseyside who had been appointed by Sir Ronnie Flanagan in an advisory capacity should be elevated to have an equal status to that of the Superintendent McArthur.
In a statement Police Board Chairman Desmond Rea said the Board remained committed to ensuring that accountability and transparency are the foundations of the policing service. However, he added that following discussions between the Board, the Police Ombudsman and the Chief Constable it was agreed, on the basis of the information available, that the Omagh Bombing could not have been prevented.
Mr Rea said: “The Board acknowledges that lessons have been learned on all sides in relation to this process but believes that these recommendations will serve to enhance the true professionalism and service of all officers within the Police Service of Northern Ireland. They will also ensure wider community confidence in the effectiveness and efficiency of the Police Service."
Following the decision Policing Board members said that, while the first consideration had to be for the needs and concerns of the bereaved Omagh families, confidence in the Omagh murder inquiry and policing had be restored.
Commenting on the Policing Board report, Chief Constable Sir Ronnie Flanagan said: "I warmly welcome the proposal about the review of the working of the Police Ombudsman's Office. With proper mechanisms for accountability in place the problems which have arisen in this instance should be avoided in the future."
However, Police Ombudsman Nuala O'Loan, who was said to be furious at the Policing Board's implementation of many of the Chief Constable's recommendations and the decision to review the ombudsman's office, is considering the board's report.
(SP)
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