OMAGH INVESTIGATOR A MYSTERY
Omagh investigator a mystery
By Kieran McDaid
THE police service and Merseyside police last night refused to name the officer Sir Ronnie Flanagan wants to appoint to advise on the Omagh bomb investigation.
Mystery continues to surround the officer's identity as the chief constable and the Police Ombudsman Nuala O'Loan prepare to put their conflicting recommendations for the role of an outside officer to the policing board.
Last night, a spokeswoman for the policing board said it would be premature to speculate on what finding the board would come to, but she said it would take any action deemed necessary to improve the workings of the police.
"Within the board's remit is the power to ensure the effectiveness and efficiency of the police service in line with the Police Act (Northern Ireland) 2000," she said.
"If they could do anything which would improve the performance of the police service, they will do it."
She also pointed to the board's ability to hold the chief constable to account citing a section of the Police Act (NI) 2000, which says: "In carrying out its functions ... the Board shall hold the Chief Constable to account for the exercise of his functions and those of the police."
SDLP policing board member Joe Byrne said the board will be discussing both reports in order to make decisions which would improve the working of the police service.
"The Policing Board is charged with the responsibility of holding the Chief Constable to account for the discharge of his duties," he said.
A separate section of the Police Act (2000) appears to rubber stamp the board's authority to appoint an outside officer, when it states: "The Board may, subject to ... provisions ... employ persons to assist the police.
"Senior employees shall be appointed by the Board - with the approval of the Secretary of State and after consultation with the Chief Constable; and on such terms and conditions as the Board may, with the approval of the Secretary of State, determine."
A PSNI spokeswoman said last night that there was no further information available about the identity of the outside officer mentioned by Sir Ronnie, while a spokeswoman for Merseyside Police also said they could not identity him/her at this time.
"Merseyside police can confirm that the force has had preliminary discussions with the Police Service of Northern Ireland in respect of involvement in the Omagh investigation," she said.
"Following a meeting with the Police Service of Northern Ireland, Merseyside Police awaits a further discussion - following Chief Constable Flanagan's response to the Ombudsman's Report and his meeting with the relatives of Omagh victims -when any terms of reference for Merseyside Police involvement will be finalised."
By Kieran McDaid
THE police service and Merseyside police last night refused to name the officer Sir Ronnie Flanagan wants to appoint to advise on the Omagh bomb investigation.
Mystery continues to surround the officer's identity as the chief constable and the Police Ombudsman Nuala O'Loan prepare to put their conflicting recommendations for the role of an outside officer to the policing board.
Last night, a spokeswoman for the policing board said it would be premature to speculate on what finding the board would come to, but she said it would take any action deemed necessary to improve the workings of the police.
"Within the board's remit is the power to ensure the effectiveness and efficiency of the police service in line with the Police Act (Northern Ireland) 2000," she said.
"If they could do anything which would improve the performance of the police service, they will do it."
She also pointed to the board's ability to hold the chief constable to account citing a section of the Police Act (NI) 2000, which says: "In carrying out its functions ... the Board shall hold the Chief Constable to account for the exercise of his functions and those of the police."
SDLP policing board member Joe Byrne said the board will be discussing both reports in order to make decisions which would improve the working of the police service.
"The Policing Board is charged with the responsibility of holding the Chief Constable to account for the discharge of his duties," he said.
A separate section of the Police Act (2000) appears to rubber stamp the board's authority to appoint an outside officer, when it states: "The Board may, subject to ... provisions ... employ persons to assist the police.
"Senior employees shall be appointed by the Board - with the approval of the Secretary of State and after consultation with the Chief Constable; and on such terms and conditions as the Board may, with the approval of the Secretary of State, determine."
A PSNI spokeswoman said last night that there was no further information available about the identity of the outside officer mentioned by Sir Ronnie, while a spokeswoman for Merseyside Police also said they could not identity him/her at this time.
"Merseyside police can confirm that the force has had preliminary discussions with the Police Service of Northern Ireland in respect of involvement in the Omagh investigation," she said.
"Following a meeting with the Police Service of Northern Ireland, Merseyside Police awaits a further discussion - following Chief Constable Flanagan's response to the Ombudsman's Report and his meeting with the relatives of Omagh victims -when any terms of reference for Merseyside Police involvement will be finalised."
Further Information
Publisher: THE IRISH NEWS
Ref: IN/0539
Published Date: 26-Jan-02
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