17/07/2001

RUC ACTIONS UNDER OMBUDSMAN’S PROBE

TV FOOTAGE of an RUC vehicle apparently mounting a pavement and driving at a group of children is to be examined in an investigation by the Northern Ireland Police Ombudsman.

Ombudsman Nuala O`Loan has decided to investigate the incident, filmed during nationalist disturbances in Ardoyne on 13 July, in addition to ten individual complaints of police assault both in the area and in Portadown on the same evening.

It is also looking into the firing of plastic baton rounds – the use of which are automatically investigated by the Ombudsman - by RUC officers during the trouble which erupted in both areas over controversial parades.

The Ombudsman decision was prompted by television footage which showed an RUC Land Rover swerving across the Ardoyne Road, over a burning barricade, and appearing to drive at speed towards a group of children who moved quickly out of the way.

The incident followed a night of serious rioting involving nationalist residents who objected to an Orange Order parade returning home along Ardoyne Road after their annual 12 July march.

The Ombudsman’s office, which was set up last November, has so far received ten complaints alleging assault at Portadown and three in Ardoyne. Their inquiry will involve speaking to the police officers on duty during the incident. Enquiries could take up to a month before Ms O’ Loan recommends whether or not there should be prosecutions. (AMcE)

Related Northern Ireland News Stories
Click here for the latest headlines.

24 May 2021
Teenager Assaulted In North Belfast
A teenager has been attacked in north Belfast. Police are treating the assault as a sectarian hate crime. An 18-year-old boy was approached by a number of males unknown to him as he walked along Ardoyne Road at around 10.30pm on Saturday, 22 May.
06 August 2003
PUP councillor evades abduction attempt
Police are investigating a claim by Belfast Progressive Unionist Party councillor Billy Hutchinson that an attempt was made to abduct him this morning. Mr Hutchinson said that four men tried to drag him into a car that that pulled up beside him when he was out for an early morning jog in west Belfast. He escaped by running off.
21 April 2016
Officer Disciplined For Failing To Properly Investigate Assault On Boy
A police officer has been disciplined after failing to properly investigate an allegation that a man annoyed by children playing football near his car, attacked a 12-year-old boy by kicking him on the hand.
14 May 2012
Seven Police Officers Disciplined Over Pensioner's Death
Seven police officers have been disciplined over an investigation into the death of Lisburn man Jim Heasley in October 2010. The 70-year-old was assaulted as he walked home from Lagan Valley Pigeon Club. An investigation by the Police Ombudsman found a series of failings in the initial police response.
20 October 2023
West Midlands Police To Investigate Incident Involving Police Ombudsman
The PSNI have asked West Midlands Police to investigate an alleged domestic incident at the home of Police Ombudsman Marie Anderson. It is understood that officers attended a "report of a domestic incident" at an address in Co Down on Saturday, September 23, at around 6.30pm.