POLICING BOARD DECISIONS SIGNIFICANT STEP FORWARD, SAYS BYRNE
Policing Board decisions significant step forward, says Byrne
West Tyrone SDLP Assemblyman, and member of the Northern Ireland Policing Board, Mr. Joe Byrne, has said that the Policing Board's decisions in relation to the Omagh bomb investigation were 'a significant step forward and would give the Omagh investigation a new impetus'.
The Omagh councillor said that the Board had unanimously agreed upon a comprehensive series of measures which demonstrated that it had the independence and the authority to deal with controversial and sensitive areas, such as the Omagh bomb investigation.
"Central to the Board's response is the enhanced role of the external senior officer, who will have the same status of the PSNI's senior investigating officer. This officer will scrutinise the current investigation and will work to ensure that all evidential opportunities are maximised. The external senior officer will explore dissident republican incidents prior to the Omagh bomb that could be linked, and which may provide new opportunities to secure prosecutions," he said.
Mr. Byrne added: "This officer also has the power to identify any obstacles which may be holding up the investigation, have access to all intelligence in relation to the investigation and will have direct access to the Chief Constable on any matter of concern.
"Importantly, the Board has decided to appoint an external Deputy Chief Constable or an Assistant Chief Constable to overview all matters of the Omagh investigation. This officer will monitor the progress of the investigation, offer strategic guidance to the Board, and will report to the Board on a regular basis," he said.
Co-operation
Continuing, Mr. Byrne said: "The Policing Board also highlighted the importance of maximum co-operation between the Garda and the PSNI".
Concluding, Mr. Byrne said: "Overall, the Policing Board's decisions are a demonstration that the Board has got real powers and intends to exercise them to ensure that policing in the North is effective, transparent and accountable."
West Tyrone SDLP Assemblyman, and member of the Northern Ireland Policing Board, Mr. Joe Byrne, has said that the Policing Board's decisions in relation to the Omagh bomb investigation were 'a significant step forward and would give the Omagh investigation a new impetus'.
The Omagh councillor said that the Board had unanimously agreed upon a comprehensive series of measures which demonstrated that it had the independence and the authority to deal with controversial and sensitive areas, such as the Omagh bomb investigation.
"Central to the Board's response is the enhanced role of the external senior officer, who will have the same status of the PSNI's senior investigating officer. This officer will scrutinise the current investigation and will work to ensure that all evidential opportunities are maximised. The external senior officer will explore dissident republican incidents prior to the Omagh bomb that could be linked, and which may provide new opportunities to secure prosecutions," he said.
Mr. Byrne added: "This officer also has the power to identify any obstacles which may be holding up the investigation, have access to all intelligence in relation to the investigation and will have direct access to the Chief Constable on any matter of concern.
"Importantly, the Board has decided to appoint an external Deputy Chief Constable or an Assistant Chief Constable to overview all matters of the Omagh investigation. This officer will monitor the progress of the investigation, offer strategic guidance to the Board, and will report to the Board on a regular basis," he said.
Co-operation
Continuing, Mr. Byrne said: "The Policing Board also highlighted the importance of maximum co-operation between the Garda and the PSNI".
Concluding, Mr. Byrne said: "Overall, the Policing Board's decisions are a demonstration that the Board has got real powers and intends to exercise them to ensure that policing in the North is effective, transparent and accountable."
Further Information
Publisher: TYRONE CONSTITUTION
Ref: TC/1017
Published Date: 14-Feb-02
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