04/10/2001
Devenny report finds RUC at fault
The Police Ombudsman of Northern Ireland has upheld a complaint made against the RUC following the death of a Londonderry man 32 years ago.
Samuel Devenny (42) died three months after he and his family were allegedly assaulted by RUC officers at his home in William Street on 19 April 1969.
Mr Devenny is regarded as the first victim of the Troubles in Northern Ireland.
Although an inquest returned a verdict of death by natural causes, Mr Devenny's family always maintained he died as a direct result of the injuries he sustained at the hands of the RUC officers.
Following representations from the Devenny family the Police Ombudsman, Nuala O'Loan, has been looking into the incident for the past three months.
Mrs O'Loan said an investigation at the time could neither prove nor disprove the allegation that Mr Devenney's death was the result of the attack.
She also said it would not be possible after all this time to pursue a disciplinary action against the officers involved.
But the ombudsman's office upheld a complaint by Mr Devenny's family that the RUC never communicated to them directly about the events of that night.
Mrs O'Loan said: "I am of the view that the then chief constable did not deal with the family appropriately."
The RUC have declined to be interviewed about the report. But in a statement they said that they would study its findings in detail.
SDLP leader John Hume has welcomed the Ombudsman report. He said: “This Report is an acknowledgement of the efforts over many years of the family to have the truth of the attacks on Samuel Devenny and his family established. The Report is vindication of the family’s tireless efforts.” (AMcE)
Samuel Devenny (42) died three months after he and his family were allegedly assaulted by RUC officers at his home in William Street on 19 April 1969.
Mr Devenny is regarded as the first victim of the Troubles in Northern Ireland.
Although an inquest returned a verdict of death by natural causes, Mr Devenny's family always maintained he died as a direct result of the injuries he sustained at the hands of the RUC officers.
Following representations from the Devenny family the Police Ombudsman, Nuala O'Loan, has been looking into the incident for the past three months.
Mrs O'Loan said an investigation at the time could neither prove nor disprove the allegation that Mr Devenney's death was the result of the attack.
She also said it would not be possible after all this time to pursue a disciplinary action against the officers involved.
But the ombudsman's office upheld a complaint by Mr Devenny's family that the RUC never communicated to them directly about the events of that night.
Mrs O'Loan said: "I am of the view that the then chief constable did not deal with the family appropriately."
The RUC have declined to be interviewed about the report. But in a statement they said that they would study its findings in detail.
SDLP leader John Hume has welcomed the Ombudsman report. He said: “This Report is an acknowledgement of the efforts over many years of the family to have the truth of the attacks on Samuel Devenny and his family established. The Report is vindication of the family’s tireless efforts.” (AMcE)
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