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26/08/2010
RUC 'Not To Blame' On Claudy Failures
It has been again alleged that the RUC is being used as a 'scapegoat' for the failure to arrest the priest suspected of the Claudy bombing.
Further claims that officers wanted to investigate him have been backed by a victim's relative.
Gordon Miller spoke out amid ongoing anger at the revelations in the Police Ombudsman's report, which found evidence of a cover-up between the British Government and Catholic Church to protect Father James Chesney.
As reported in the Belfast News Letter, Mr Miller - who lost his father David in the atrocity - feel that the police actions cannot be seen in isolation.
Yesterday, the BBC reported that a Special Branch detective said they were within 15 minutes of launching an operation to search Father Chesney's house but they were told not to proceed, because "the matter was under control".
Earlier this week, a former RUC Inspector who worked with Special Branch - and who was himself shot in an IRA murder bid - told 4NI that the RUC was being used as a "scapegoat" for something that was ordered from higher authority.
He is convinced that "senior police officers at the time wanted to pursue prosecutions against those involved but were stymied by Government".
The Police Ombudsman's report confirmed that detectives believed Fr James Chesney was involved in the Claudy bombing which killed nine people.
See: RUC 'Scapegoat' For Claudy
(BMcC/GK)
Further claims that officers wanted to investigate him have been backed by a victim's relative.
Gordon Miller spoke out amid ongoing anger at the revelations in the Police Ombudsman's report, which found evidence of a cover-up between the British Government and Catholic Church to protect Father James Chesney.
As reported in the Belfast News Letter, Mr Miller - who lost his father David in the atrocity - feel that the police actions cannot be seen in isolation.
Yesterday, the BBC reported that a Special Branch detective said they were within 15 minutes of launching an operation to search Father Chesney's house but they were told not to proceed, because "the matter was under control".
Earlier this week, a former RUC Inspector who worked with Special Branch - and who was himself shot in an IRA murder bid - told 4NI that the RUC was being used as a "scapegoat" for something that was ordered from higher authority.
He is convinced that "senior police officers at the time wanted to pursue prosecutions against those involved but were stymied by Government".
The Police Ombudsman's report confirmed that detectives believed Fr James Chesney was involved in the Claudy bombing which killed nine people.
See: RUC 'Scapegoat' For Claudy
(BMcC/GK)
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RUC 'Scapegoat' For Claudy
A former RUC man has been reacting to claims that colleagues in the force may have colluded in the Claudy bomb cover-up. The retired Inspector - who must remain anonymous for his own safety having been shot and seriously wounded in an IRA murder attempt in Belfast - has this afternoon insisted that the police are being "scapegoated".
RUC 'Scapegoat' For Claudy
A former RUC man has been reacting to claims that colleagues in the force may have colluded in the Claudy bomb cover-up. The retired Inspector - who must remain anonymous for his own safety having been shot and seriously wounded in an IRA murder attempt in Belfast - has this afternoon insisted that the police are being "scapegoated".
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