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05/07/2002
Confidential report into Castlereagh in Reid’s hands
A confidential report into the break-in at Belfast’s police headquarters has been received by the Northern Ireland Secretary of State, John Reid.
The report by Sir John Chilcot is one of two investigations into the robbery of Special Branch files at the Castlereagh complex on St Patrick’s Day this year.
A Special Branch officer was assaulted and confidential documents containing details on officers and informants were stolen during the raid in east Belfast.
Sir John Chilcot, a former senior civil servant, was asked by Dr Reid to assess if there had been any damage to national security following the incident.
According to police sources, the IRA still represent the most likely group responsible for the break-in.
Officers from the Metropolitan Police have been brought in to review the police investigation.
The review is expected to last up to three months.
Sinn Féin have denied any involvement and according to reports the IRA have also denied any involvement.
Special Branch deals with intelligence work, some relating to informers, and has an anti-terrorism role in Northern Ireland.
One of the main police centres for the interrogation of terrorist suspects was located at Castlereagh. It closed at the end of 1999. (AMcE)
The report by Sir John Chilcot is one of two investigations into the robbery of Special Branch files at the Castlereagh complex on St Patrick’s Day this year.
A Special Branch officer was assaulted and confidential documents containing details on officers and informants were stolen during the raid in east Belfast.
Sir John Chilcot, a former senior civil servant, was asked by Dr Reid to assess if there had been any damage to national security following the incident.
According to police sources, the IRA still represent the most likely group responsible for the break-in.
Officers from the Metropolitan Police have been brought in to review the police investigation.
The review is expected to last up to three months.
Sinn Féin have denied any involvement and according to reports the IRA have also denied any involvement.
Special Branch deals with intelligence work, some relating to informers, and has an anti-terrorism role in Northern Ireland.
One of the main police centres for the interrogation of terrorist suspects was located at Castlereagh. It closed at the end of 1999. (AMcE)
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Stevens Report into collusion is delayed
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03 July 2009
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19 March 2002
Castlereagh break-in is a matter of national security
The Northern Ireland Secretary of State is to appoint a "distinguished independent figure" to examine the wider national security aspects of the break-in at Castlereagh Police Complex.
Castlereagh break-in is a matter of national security
The Northern Ireland Secretary of State is to appoint a "distinguished independent figure" to examine the wider national security aspects of the break-in at Castlereagh Police Complex.
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Northern Ireland WeatherToday:The day will be very windy with strong to gale force westerly winds becoming occasionally severe along the north coast. Sunny spells will be interspersed with scattered showers. Maximum temperature 8 °C.Tonight:West to northwest gale force winds, severe along the north coast, will continue overnight. Frequent showers persist, merging into longer periods of rain at times and turning wintry. Minimum temperature 1 °C.
