Menu
03/09/2014
PSNI Release Files To Ombudsman Following Dispute
Police intelligence files are to be released to the Northern Ireland police watchdog following a legal battle between Police Ombudsman Michael Maguire and the PSNI, it has been announced.
The Ombudsman had challenged a PSNI refusal to release information regarding informers involved in 60 murders.
Mr Maguire claimed he has in the past been refused access to more than 100 documents.
Among the cases being investigated are the killing of an RUC officer in 1992, and an attack at a pub in Loughisland, County Down in 1994.
But now the Chief Constable has informed members of the Policing Board’s Performance Committee the legal action initiated will now be withdrawn following resolution of the dispute.
Chair of the Committee Jonathan Craig MLA said: "It is welcome that the Chief Constable has satisfactorily resolved this matter with the Police Ombudsman.
"It is critical for public confidence in the service that there is police cooperation in the provision and disclosure of information to the institutions with legislative responsibility for delivery of independent oversight of the PSNI.
"The Chief Constable has made it clear to the Board that he fully supports and values the accountability mechanisms for policing here and Board Members are pleased that the legal impediments in this case have now been sorted."
SDLP MP for South Down Margaret Ritchie said: "It is thought that the files being withheld from the Ombudsman by the PSNI contained information on informers relating to up to 60 murders.
"I had serious concerns that the intelligence files that were being withheld from the Ombudsman contained crucial information on the Loughinisland atrocity in 1994, particularly details on what was known by informers.
"It is crucial that the Police Ombudsman has access to any and all information as the office sees fit. It is essential for public confidence and so that victims and survivors can have complete faith that the past will be dealt with in an open and transparent manner."
Sinn Féin policing spokesman Gerry Kelly said: "Earlier this year the Police Ombudsman Michael Maguire had taken a judicial review against a decision by the former Chief Constable Matt Baggott to withhold the files.
"The independence of the Police Ombudsman’s office is central to building public confidence in policing. Therefore I welcome today’s decision by the new Chief Constable George Hamilton to release the files requested by Michael Maguire."
(IT/CD)
The Ombudsman had challenged a PSNI refusal to release information regarding informers involved in 60 murders.
Mr Maguire claimed he has in the past been refused access to more than 100 documents.
Among the cases being investigated are the killing of an RUC officer in 1992, and an attack at a pub in Loughisland, County Down in 1994.
But now the Chief Constable has informed members of the Policing Board’s Performance Committee the legal action initiated will now be withdrawn following resolution of the dispute.
Chair of the Committee Jonathan Craig MLA said: "It is welcome that the Chief Constable has satisfactorily resolved this matter with the Police Ombudsman.
"It is critical for public confidence in the service that there is police cooperation in the provision and disclosure of information to the institutions with legislative responsibility for delivery of independent oversight of the PSNI.
"The Chief Constable has made it clear to the Board that he fully supports and values the accountability mechanisms for policing here and Board Members are pleased that the legal impediments in this case have now been sorted."
SDLP MP for South Down Margaret Ritchie said: "It is thought that the files being withheld from the Ombudsman by the PSNI contained information on informers relating to up to 60 murders.
"I had serious concerns that the intelligence files that were being withheld from the Ombudsman contained crucial information on the Loughinisland atrocity in 1994, particularly details on what was known by informers.
"It is crucial that the Police Ombudsman has access to any and all information as the office sees fit. It is essential for public confidence and so that victims and survivors can have complete faith that the past will be dealt with in an open and transparent manner."
Sinn Féin policing spokesman Gerry Kelly said: "Earlier this year the Police Ombudsman Michael Maguire had taken a judicial review against a decision by the former Chief Constable Matt Baggott to withhold the files.
"The independence of the Police Ombudsman’s office is central to building public confidence in policing. Therefore I welcome today’s decision by the new Chief Constable George Hamilton to release the files requested by Michael Maguire."
(IT/CD)
Related Northern Ireland News Stories
Click here for the latest headlines.
07 January 2016
Police Officer Given Adult Caution For Bar Assault
A police officer assaulted a man at a bar while off-duty and unlawfully accessed information on police computer systems, according to a Police Ombudsman investigation. The officer was given an adult caution after he was found to have punched a man in the face during an argument at a bar in Belfast city centre in August 2014.
Police Officer Given Adult Caution For Bar Assault
A police officer assaulted a man at a bar while off-duty and unlawfully accessed information on police computer systems, according to a Police Ombudsman investigation. The officer was given an adult caution after he was found to have punched a man in the face during an argument at a bar in Belfast city centre in August 2014.
23 June 2016
Police Officers Disciplined For Failing To Tell Doctor About Woman's Head Injuries
Two police officers have been disciplined after they failed to let their colleagues and a police doctor know that a woman had sustained a head injury, a Police Ombudsman investigation has concluded. The woman died from bleeding to the brain on 24 February 2014, the day after she suffered the injury.
Police Officers Disciplined For Failing To Tell Doctor About Woman's Head Injuries
Two police officers have been disciplined after they failed to let their colleagues and a police doctor know that a woman had sustained a head injury, a Police Ombudsman investigation has concluded. The woman died from bleeding to the brain on 24 February 2014, the day after she suffered the injury.
26 July 2016
Claims Police Officer Provided False Information Rejected
Claims that a police officer provided false information to a social worker who was dealing with a row between parents over the custody of their child have been rejected by the Police Ombudsman.
Claims Police Officer Provided False Information Rejected
Claims that a police officer provided false information to a social worker who was dealing with a row between parents over the custody of their child have been rejected by the Police Ombudsman.
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.
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.
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.
-
Northern Ireland WeatherToday:A sunny but frosty start for many. However cloud increases by midday with a few showers reaching the north coast, these mostly light but spreading inland this afternoon. Chilly. Maximum temperature 8 °C.Tonight:A rather cloudy evening with scattered showers. Becoming drier through the night with some good clear spells developing and a patchy frost away from coasts. Minimum temperature 0 °C.
