Chief Constable concerned over 'early' bail

PSNI Chief Constable, Hugh Orde has expressed concern over the brief period of time paramilitary chiefs are kept behind bars before being released.

Speaking on the first anniversary of his appointment, Mr Orde said police had been able to crack down on paramilitaries breaking the law, but that the problem lay in how quickly they were released.

The Chief Constable said that one frustration, in a year where the PSNI had been successful in taking out “major players”, some of whom are now serving long-term imprisonment, was the “speed with which they managed to get bail when charged with very serious criminal offences".

He added: "It may be we need a change in legislation."

Reflecting on the progress made one year on from Mr Orde’s appointment as Chief Constable, SDLP Policing Board member and former MLA Joe Byrne said good steady progress had been made.

He said: "The Chief Constable represents and reflects the changed agenda which was determined by Patten and which he is implementing. Other senior policing appointments are contributing to making the police more effective and creating a more community based service.

“It has been a very challenging year for everyone involved in policing. For the first six months of Hugh Orde’s tenure it was a bumpy experience but the last six months have seen significant progress for everyone involved in policing. Major challenges still to be dealt with include the Stevens III inquiry report and its recommendations in tackling the collusion difficulties of the past.”

In his end of year report, Mr Orde also claimed that while there was no evidence that the PIRA's ceasefire was likely to break down, there was ongoing concern over the activities of dissident republicans.

(MB)