NOTHING PERSONAL IN ROW WITH SIR RONNIE
Nothing personal in row with Sir Ronnie
THE Police Ombudsman has claimed that the media "distorted" her difference of opinion with former Chief Constable Sir Ronnie Flanagan into a personality dispute.
Responding to claims that a new investigation by her office into the death of RUC Constable Colleen McMurray could renew bitter hostilities between them, Nuala O'Loan said: "The issue with Ronnie Flanagan was slightly distorted by the media. It was made personality-based and, in fact, the difference between us was not one of personalities but a particular issue on which I have one fixed view and he had a decidedly different view.
"I think you have to remember that Ronnie Flanagan achieved a lot and is credited for having brought the PSNI through a period of change."
Mrs O'Loan said the legal action taken against her over her investigation of the Omagh bombing was withdrawn and dismissed by the judge.
"That is history now," she said.
The car Colleen McMurray was travelling in was bombed in 1992 in Newry by the IRA.
Her colleague, Paul Slaine, lost both legs in the attack. It has been claimed that RUC Special Branch had been tipped off that the bombing was imminent but that nothing was done to prevent it.
Family and friends of Ms McMurray approached the Ombudsman in February of this year to make a formal complaint about fears that the attack on her could have been prevented.
Mrs O'Loan said: "A very, very thorough investigation of Colleen McMurray's case will be done. Wherever the Colleen McMurray case takes us, we will go - but that is as far really as I can say."
THE Police Ombudsman has claimed that the media "distorted" her difference of opinion with former Chief Constable Sir Ronnie Flanagan into a personality dispute.
Responding to claims that a new investigation by her office into the death of RUC Constable Colleen McMurray could renew bitter hostilities between them, Nuala O'Loan said: "The issue with Ronnie Flanagan was slightly distorted by the media. It was made personality-based and, in fact, the difference between us was not one of personalities but a particular issue on which I have one fixed view and he had a decidedly different view.
"I think you have to remember that Ronnie Flanagan achieved a lot and is credited for having brought the PSNI through a period of change."
Mrs O'Loan said the legal action taken against her over her investigation of the Omagh bombing was withdrawn and dismissed by the judge.
"That is history now," she said.
The car Colleen McMurray was travelling in was bombed in 1992 in Newry by the IRA.
Her colleague, Paul Slaine, lost both legs in the attack. It has been claimed that RUC Special Branch had been tipped off that the bombing was imminent but that nothing was done to prevent it.
Family and friends of Ms McMurray approached the Ombudsman in February of this year to make a formal complaint about fears that the attack on her could have been prevented.
Mrs O'Loan said: "A very, very thorough investigation of Colleen McMurray's case will be done. Wherever the Colleen McMurray case takes us, we will go - but that is as far really as I can say."
Further Information
Publisher: NEWS LETTER
Ref: NL/537
Published Date: 30-Apr-04
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