FORCE DISCLOSURE
FORCE DISCLOSURE
By CIARAN MCGUIGAN
TOP SECRET police dossiers to be made public
ULSTER cops face a flood of requests to open their files on terrorist atrocities spanning three decades.
And under new laws, they may be forced to open up the secret papers which reveal never-before-seen details of major police investigations.
Police forces across the UK will be called on to open their files under the new Freedom of Information Act, when it comes into effect in January 2005. But it is the files of the PSNI and the former RUC which are set to come under closest scrutiny.
Families of those killed and injured in 30 years of violence - including the Omagh atrocity, Teebane bomb and the Loughgall shootings - will be able to request to see the police files on the investigations.
For relatives of the Teebane bombing, where eight workmen lost their lives in a huge IRA landmine, it will be their first chance to ask to see papers relating , to the security arrangements in place to protect the men.
The issue, has remained a matter of controversy in the 10 years after the attack. The inquest into the deaths was told that, due to a string of security lapses, the workmen's minibus was a "sitting duck". The internal police files relating to the largest single terrorist atrocity in the history of the Troubles, the Omagh bombing in which 29 people died, will be among the most sought after papers.
Relatives of those killed will be able to ask to see the papers relating to the massive investigation into the Real IRA attack, and also ask to see the papers relating to the subsequent investigation by the Police Ombudsman, Nuala O'Loan.
And relatives of the IRA men shot dead at Loughgall by the SAS in 1987 will be able to request the papers relating to the investigation into their deaths. That investigation has already been slated by the European Court of Human Rights, which awarded compensation to the families of victims last year. Cops would have to convince the new Information Commissioner that the release of files would prejudice either the detection or prevention of crime, before attempting to claim an exemption, in order to keep them under wraps
Files
However, some forces are already resigned to having to open up their files and are preparing to release information ahead of the deadline to avoid being inundated by requests.
South Yorkshire Constabulary is considering releasing their files relating to the Hillsborough tragedy in 1989, when 96 Liverpool football fans were crushed to death during an FA Cup semi-final.
By CIARAN MCGUIGAN
TOP SECRET police dossiers to be made public
ULSTER cops face a flood of requests to open their files on terrorist atrocities spanning three decades.
And under new laws, they may be forced to open up the secret papers which reveal never-before-seen details of major police investigations.
Police forces across the UK will be called on to open their files under the new Freedom of Information Act, when it comes into effect in January 2005. But it is the files of the PSNI and the former RUC which are set to come under closest scrutiny.
Families of those killed and injured in 30 years of violence - including the Omagh atrocity, Teebane bomb and the Loughgall shootings - will be able to request to see the police files on the investigations.
For relatives of the Teebane bombing, where eight workmen lost their lives in a huge IRA landmine, it will be their first chance to ask to see papers relating , to the security arrangements in place to protect the men.
The issue, has remained a matter of controversy in the 10 years after the attack. The inquest into the deaths was told that, due to a string of security lapses, the workmen's minibus was a "sitting duck". The internal police files relating to the largest single terrorist atrocity in the history of the Troubles, the Omagh bombing in which 29 people died, will be among the most sought after papers.
Relatives of those killed will be able to ask to see the papers relating to the massive investigation into the Real IRA attack, and also ask to see the papers relating to the subsequent investigation by the Police Ombudsman, Nuala O'Loan.
And relatives of the IRA men shot dead at Loughgall by the SAS in 1987 will be able to request the papers relating to the investigation into their deaths. That investigation has already been slated by the European Court of Human Rights, which awarded compensation to the families of victims last year. Cops would have to convince the new Information Commissioner that the release of files would prejudice either the detection or prevention of crime, before attempting to claim an exemption, in order to keep them under wraps
Files
However, some forces are already resigned to having to open up their files and are preparing to release information ahead of the deadline to avoid being inundated by requests.
South Yorkshire Constabulary is considering releasing their files relating to the Hillsborough tragedy in 1989, when 96 Liverpool football fans were crushed to death during an FA Cup semi-final.
Further Information
Publisher: SUNDAY LIFE
Ref: SL/139
Published Date: 29-Sep-02
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