09/10/2007
Coroner Seeks Disclosure Of Shoot-To-Kill Reports
The repercussions of releasing highly sensitive reports into controversial deaths involving the security forces in alleged ‘shoot-to-kill’ incidents are to be urgently investigated.
Following a call from coroner John Leckey for PSNI Chief Constable Sir Hugh Orde to hand over the Stalker and Sampson reports into security force killings, a lawyer for the PSNI said Sir Hugh had yet to form an opinion on whether or not the reports could in fact be handed over.
He said "an investigation of the repercussions of disclosure" was being undertaken and that “the Chief Constable has not yet made a decision about the need for disclosure”.
However, the lawyer said he would be in a position by the start of December to advise Mr Leckey on a decision.
The coroner was speaking at a preliminary inquest into the deaths of IRA men Sean Burns, Eugene Toman and Gervaise McKerr near Lurgan, County Armagh, which took place in November 1982.
Police fired 109 bullets into the car they were travelling after they claimed it crashed through a checkpoint.
It later emerged the three were suspected of involvement in the killings of three RUC officers in a bomb a fortnight earlier and had been under observation.
The coroner said he could see no reason why the reports could not be released to him, especially as he also plans inquests into the death of Catholic teenager Michael Tighe, shot dead by police at a hay shed near Craigavon, County Armagh in November 1982, and suspected INLA men Roddy Carroll and Seamus Grew, shot dead near Armagh in December 1982.
The coroner told this week’s hearing that he was asking the legal representatives of the PSNI "to confirm that I, my team and Mr Stalker and his team will be provided with access to the Stalker Report and that I, my team and Sir Colin Sampson will be provided with access to the Sampson Report."
Former Deputy Chief Constable of Greater Manchester Police Sir John Stalker was brought in to investigate the controversial deaths being later replaced by Colin Sampson, Chief Constable of West Yorkshire Police.
(BMcC)
Following a call from coroner John Leckey for PSNI Chief Constable Sir Hugh Orde to hand over the Stalker and Sampson reports into security force killings, a lawyer for the PSNI said Sir Hugh had yet to form an opinion on whether or not the reports could in fact be handed over.
He said "an investigation of the repercussions of disclosure" was being undertaken and that “the Chief Constable has not yet made a decision about the need for disclosure”.
However, the lawyer said he would be in a position by the start of December to advise Mr Leckey on a decision.
The coroner was speaking at a preliminary inquest into the deaths of IRA men Sean Burns, Eugene Toman and Gervaise McKerr near Lurgan, County Armagh, which took place in November 1982.
Police fired 109 bullets into the car they were travelling after they claimed it crashed through a checkpoint.
It later emerged the three were suspected of involvement in the killings of three RUC officers in a bomb a fortnight earlier and had been under observation.
The coroner said he could see no reason why the reports could not be released to him, especially as he also plans inquests into the death of Catholic teenager Michael Tighe, shot dead by police at a hay shed near Craigavon, County Armagh in November 1982, and suspected INLA men Roddy Carroll and Seamus Grew, shot dead near Armagh in December 1982.
The coroner told this week’s hearing that he was asking the legal representatives of the PSNI "to confirm that I, my team and Mr Stalker and his team will be provided with access to the Stalker Report and that I, my team and Sir Colin Sampson will be provided with access to the Sampson Report."
Former Deputy Chief Constable of Greater Manchester Police Sir John Stalker was brought in to investigate the controversial deaths being later replaced by Colin Sampson, Chief Constable of West Yorkshire Police.
(BMcC)
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17 September 2009
'Shoot to Kill' Reports Demanded
As a Belfast coroner yesterday gave the PSNI Chief Constable just weeks to hand over top secret reports on an alleged RUC 'shoot-to-kill' policy during the Troubles, a politician has urged immediate compliance.
'Shoot to Kill' Reports Demanded
As a Belfast coroner yesterday gave the PSNI Chief Constable just weeks to hand over top secret reports on an alleged RUC 'shoot-to-kill' policy during the Troubles, a politician has urged immediate compliance.
24 January 2007
Police Ombudsman to brief board on report
The Policing Board are to be briefed by Police Ombudsman Nuala O'Loan this afternoon. The meeting is expected to be tense and the PSNI Chief Constable Sir Hugh Orde is expected to attend the meeting. Mrs O'Loan's report has come under fire from the retired police officer's association.
Police Ombudsman to brief board on report
The Policing Board are to be briefed by Police Ombudsman Nuala O'Loan this afternoon. The meeting is expected to be tense and the PSNI Chief Constable Sir Hugh Orde is expected to attend the meeting. Mrs O'Loan's report has come under fire from the retired police officer's association.
06 February 2008
Sir Ronnie's Policing Review Ready
Beleaguered former PSNI and Royal Ulster Constabulary Chief Constable Sir Ronnie Flanagan, is back in the news. Fresh from defying calls for his resignation, on foot of criticisms of the police’s handling of the failed Omagh bomb trial, he is set to announce new measures to cut police ‘form filling’.
Sir Ronnie's Policing Review Ready
Beleaguered former PSNI and Royal Ulster Constabulary Chief Constable Sir Ronnie Flanagan, is back in the news. Fresh from defying calls for his resignation, on foot of criticisms of the police’s handling of the failed Omagh bomb trial, he is set to announce new measures to cut police ‘form filling’.
27 May 2002
Murder inquiry launched after Markets body find
A murder inquiry has been launched after the body of a man was discovered in a flat in the Markets area of Belfast. Neighbours found the body in an upstairs flat in Friendly Place at 7.45am on Monday. Police believe the 38-year-old man had been beaten. Two men have been arrested by detectives and are helping them with their inquiries.
Murder inquiry launched after Markets body find
A murder inquiry has been launched after the body of a man was discovered in a flat in the Markets area of Belfast. Neighbours found the body in an upstairs flat in Friendly Place at 7.45am on Monday. Police believe the 38-year-old man had been beaten. Two men have been arrested by detectives and are helping them with their inquiries.
10 February 2005
Sir Ronnie's appointment welcomed by Policing Board chief
The Chairman of the Northern Ireland Policing Board has welcomed the news that former PSNI Chief Constable, Sir Ronnie Flanagan, has been appointed as Her Majesty's Chief Inspector of Constabulary. The appointment announced on Wednesday will see Sir Ronnie succeed Sir Keith Povey, who has been Chief Inspector of Constabulary since September 2001.
Sir Ronnie's appointment welcomed by Policing Board chief
The Chairman of the Northern Ireland Policing Board has welcomed the news that former PSNI Chief Constable, Sir Ronnie Flanagan, has been appointed as Her Majesty's Chief Inspector of Constabulary. The appointment announced on Wednesday will see Sir Ronnie succeed Sir Keith Povey, who has been Chief Inspector of Constabulary since September 2001.
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Northern Ireland WeatherToday:A sunny but frosty start for many. However cloud increases by midday with a few showers reaching the north coast, these mostly light but spreading inland this afternoon. Chilly. Maximum temperature 8 °C.Tonight:A rather cloudy evening with scattered showers. Becoming drier through the night with some good clear spells developing and a patchy frost away from coasts. Minimum temperature 0 °C.