Probe Into Police Cover-Up Claims

It has been confirmed that the Director of Public Prosecutions has asked the PSNI to investigate claims regarding the alleged destruction of evidence in a case more than 30 years ago.

In November 1982, 17-year-old Michael Tighe was shot dead and 19-year-old Martin McCauley was injured when police opened fire on a hayshed, near Lurgan, Co Armagh. Following the shooting incident, three rifles were found at the scene, without ammunition, and Martin McCauley was prosecuted.

It later emerged that MI5 had placed a listening device inside the hayshed, however the tape was said to have been destroyed by a senior police officer the day after the killing. A second, unauthorised copy of the tape, was reportedly destroyed in 1985 by MI5.

However, it is understood the DPP were not aware that the tapes existed at the time of the incident. It was only in 1983, when police officers involved in the shooting were alleged to have provided false statements, an investigation was launched to establish whether police intended to shoot to kill.

McCauley's case was then examined by the criminal cases review commission and in September 2014, his conviction was quashed.

In a statement, PSNI Assistant Chief Constable Mark Hamilton, confirmed it had received a request from the Director of Public Prosecutions to investigate the allegations of destroying evidence in the case. The Director also made a referral to the Police Ombudsman for Northern Ireland, relating to the conduct of a number of former RUC Officers involved in the same investigation.

The Chief Constable said an external police service, and work alongside Her Majesty's Chief Inspectorate, to investigate the matter "in the interests of transparency and public confidence".

He continued: "The team will work under the direction of, and will report directly to, the Chief Constable of PSNI who will oversee the investigation and report to the Director of Public Prosecutions.

"The PSNI will also work with the Office of the Police Ombudsman to ensure that they are provided with the information they require to conduct their investigation as speedily as possible."

(JP/MH)