14/08/2006
PSNI apologise to McConville family
Earlier today, the PSNI released a statement apologising to the family of IRA murder victim Jean McConville over the findings of the Police Ombudsman's investigation into her killing.
The report revealed that although Mrs McConville was murdered in 1972, a proper police investigation into the crime was not carried out until over 20-years after her death.
The statement read: “Jean McConville's family have suffered unimaginable pain and grief over the last 34 years. Their mother's brutal abduction and murder by the IRA is one of the most horrific cases in the history of the troubles. The idea of a mother being prised away from her children and taken away to be murdered is repulsive.
“The Police Service is studying the Police Ombudsman's findings. Police policy and practice into how it deals with missing persons and how it conducts investigations has changed significantly since 1972. We apologise unreservedly to the family for any failings made by police.”
It continued: “This terrible crime happened 34 years ago. 1972 was one of the worst years of the troubles. In 1972 there were 10,631 shooting incidents recorded, 1853 devices used. 470 people were killed including 17 police and 131 soldiers and almost 5,000 people injured. Policing operated in an entirely different environment than it does today.
The Chief Constable Sir Hugh Orde worked for the establishment of the Historical Enquiries Team (HET) in order to deal with historical cases. Jean McConville's case is now being investigated by the HET. We sincerely hope that this investigation will bring some comfort and closure to the McConville family.”
(EF)
The report revealed that although Mrs McConville was murdered in 1972, a proper police investigation into the crime was not carried out until over 20-years after her death.
The statement read: “Jean McConville's family have suffered unimaginable pain and grief over the last 34 years. Their mother's brutal abduction and murder by the IRA is one of the most horrific cases in the history of the troubles. The idea of a mother being prised away from her children and taken away to be murdered is repulsive.
“The Police Service is studying the Police Ombudsman's findings. Police policy and practice into how it deals with missing persons and how it conducts investigations has changed significantly since 1972. We apologise unreservedly to the family for any failings made by police.”
It continued: “This terrible crime happened 34 years ago. 1972 was one of the worst years of the troubles. In 1972 there were 10,631 shooting incidents recorded, 1853 devices used. 470 people were killed including 17 police and 131 soldiers and almost 5,000 people injured. Policing operated in an entirely different environment than it does today.
The Chief Constable Sir Hugh Orde worked for the establishment of the Historical Enquiries Team (HET) in order to deal with historical cases. Jean McConville's case is now being investigated by the HET. We sincerely hope that this investigation will bring some comfort and closure to the McConville family.”
(EF)
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