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14/08/2006
PSNI apologise to McConville family
Earlier today, the PSNI released a statement apologising to the family of IRA murder victim Jean McConville over the findings of the Police Ombudsman's investigation into her killing.
The report revealed that although Mrs McConville was murdered in 1972, a proper police investigation into the crime was not carried out until over 20-years after her death.
The statement read: “Jean McConville's family have suffered unimaginable pain and grief over the last 34 years. Their mother's brutal abduction and murder by the IRA is one of the most horrific cases in the history of the troubles. The idea of a mother being prised away from her children and taken away to be murdered is repulsive.
“The Police Service is studying the Police Ombudsman's findings. Police policy and practice into how it deals with missing persons and how it conducts investigations has changed significantly since 1972. We apologise unreservedly to the family for any failings made by police.”
It continued: “This terrible crime happened 34 years ago. 1972 was one of the worst years of the troubles. In 1972 there were 10,631 shooting incidents recorded, 1853 devices used. 470 people were killed including 17 police and 131 soldiers and almost 5,000 people injured. Policing operated in an entirely different environment than it does today.
The Chief Constable Sir Hugh Orde worked for the establishment of the Historical Enquiries Team (HET) in order to deal with historical cases. Jean McConville's case is now being investigated by the HET. We sincerely hope that this investigation will bring some comfort and closure to the McConville family.”
(EF)
The report revealed that although Mrs McConville was murdered in 1972, a proper police investigation into the crime was not carried out until over 20-years after her death.
The statement read: “Jean McConville's family have suffered unimaginable pain and grief over the last 34 years. Their mother's brutal abduction and murder by the IRA is one of the most horrific cases in the history of the troubles. The idea of a mother being prised away from her children and taken away to be murdered is repulsive.
“The Police Service is studying the Police Ombudsman's findings. Police policy and practice into how it deals with missing persons and how it conducts investigations has changed significantly since 1972. We apologise unreservedly to the family for any failings made by police.”
It continued: “This terrible crime happened 34 years ago. 1972 was one of the worst years of the troubles. In 1972 there were 10,631 shooting incidents recorded, 1853 devices used. 470 people were killed including 17 police and 131 soldiers and almost 5,000 people injured. Policing operated in an entirely different environment than it does today.
The Chief Constable Sir Hugh Orde worked for the establishment of the Historical Enquiries Team (HET) in order to deal with historical cases. Jean McConville's case is now being investigated by the HET. We sincerely hope that this investigation will bring some comfort and closure to the McConville family.”
(EF)
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25 March 2014
Adams Contacts Police Over McConville Claims
Sinn Féin President, Gerry Adams, has asked his lawyer to contact the police to clarify if detectives need to interview him about the murder of Jean McConville. He was responding to speculation that police might want to question him after veteran republican Ivor Bell was refused bail at the weekend.
Adams Contacts Police Over McConville Claims
Sinn Féin President, Gerry Adams, has asked his lawyer to contact the police to clarify if detectives need to interview him about the murder of Jean McConville. He was responding to speculation that police might want to question him after veteran republican Ivor Bell was refused bail at the weekend.
10 April 2014
Woman Held Over McConville Murder
A 57-year-old woman has been arrested over the abduction and murder of Jean McConville in 1972. Mrs McConville, a mother of 10, was kidnapped from her flat in west Belfast by the IRA in December 1972. She was one of Northern Ireland's Disappeared.
Woman Held Over McConville Murder
A 57-year-old woman has been arrested over the abduction and murder of Jean McConville in 1972. Mrs McConville, a mother of 10, was kidnapped from her flat in west Belfast by the IRA in December 1972. She was one of Northern Ireland's Disappeared.
18 March 2014
Man Arrested Over Jean McConville Murder
A 77-year-old man has been arrested by detectives investigating the abduction and murder of Jean McConville in 1972. A mother of 10, Jean McConville was kidnapped from her flat in the Divis area of Belfast in December 1972 and shot by the IRA.
Man Arrested Over Jean McConville Murder
A 77-year-old man has been arrested by detectives investigating the abduction and murder of Jean McConville in 1972. A mother of 10, Jean McConville was kidnapped from her flat in the Divis area of Belfast in December 1972 and shot by the IRA.
27 November 2014
Man Arrested In McConville Investigation
A man has been arrested as part of an overall investigation into the 1972 murder of Jean McConville. Ms McConville, 37, was abducted from her home in west Belfast in December 1972 and killed by the IRA. The mother of 10 became one of Northern Ireland's 'Disappeared'. Her body was recovered on a beach in Co Louth in August 2003.
Man Arrested In McConville Investigation
A man has been arrested as part of an overall investigation into the 1972 murder of Jean McConville. Ms McConville, 37, was abducted from her home in west Belfast in December 1972 and killed by the IRA. The mother of 10 became one of Northern Ireland's 'Disappeared'. Her body was recovered on a beach in Co Louth in August 2003.
06 May 2014
Robinson To Meet With Michael McConville
First Minister Peter Robinson has said he will meet with Michael McConville over his mother Jean's abduction and murder in 1972. Jean McConville was murdered by the IRA and buried on a beach in County Louth, where her body was discovered in 2003.
Robinson To Meet With Michael McConville
First Minister Peter Robinson has said he will meet with Michael McConville over his mother Jean's abduction and murder in 1972. Jean McConville was murdered by the IRA and buried on a beach in County Louth, where her body was discovered in 2003.
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