19/01/2009

Flanagan To Appear At Nelson Inquiry

The former head of the RUC is to give evidence at an inquiry into the death of Belfast solicitor Rosemary Nelson.

Sir Ronnie Flanagan, who was Chief Constable at the time of Ms Nelson's murder, will appear today at the Public Inquiry, which first launched in 2005.

Ms Nelson, a prominent solicitor, died when a car bomb - planted by loyalist paramilitaries - detonated under her car, almost 10 years ago.

Ms Nelson's high-profile association with a number of alleged republican terrorists led to her receiving death threats from loyalists groups.

The inquiry was set up to probe alleged security force collusion in the fatal Lurgan attack.

Sir Ronnie was the last Chief Constable of the RUC and oversaw its transition into the PSNI.

It is likely Sir Ronnie will be quizzed about any possible links between his force and the murder.

The inquiry previously heard that Sir Ronnie had described Ms Nelson as an "immoral woman", according to former senior civil servant David Watkins' recollection.

"I knew the police to have a pretty dim view of her.

"I think Ronnie Flanagan probably did as well although I do not recall him ever commenting on her to me," said Mr Watkins.

(PR/BMcC)

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