NO QUESTION HAS IMPUGNED OR CRITICISED OFFICERS - QC
No question has impugned or criticized officers - QC
THE role of the inquest was discussed at the afternoon session on Tuesday.
As a result, a skeleton argument is to be submitted to the coroner on Wednesday of next week from Mr Mike Mansfield QC outlining the type of questions he proposes to ask of police witnesses in reference to the policing system.
The coroner mentioned that the questions would relate to the system, the meaning of contingency plans what they were and what form they took.
A response to the skeleton argument is expected from Mr Stephen Richie BL by Monday of the following week.
Mr Richie, speaking for the RUC chief constable, said he wanted to know expressly where the line of enquiry was headed with regard to the police witnesses.
"The objection is that the perception and reality is that these men will be accused and they will be in effect, be on trial," said Mr Richie.
He also said that if Mr Mansfield was making allegations of corporate negligence that would be offensive in terms of domestic law.
Safeguards
"If persons are being accused of something which is civil or criminal they are guaranteed certain minimum safeguards," he continued.
Mansfield: "There has been no single question that has impugned or suggested criticism of an individual officer,"
He made the point that questions of that kind had been asked at the Clapham rail disaster enquiry and that of the Kings-Cross fire in London.
Mr Mansfield said that it was not unknown for these kinds of questions to be asked at inquiries of this nature. He also mentioned the Marchioness disaster which occurred on the River Thames.
Mr Leckey made reference to other enquiries that had taken place over the years including the Zebrugge ferry disaster, Hillsborough Stadium, Bradford, and the aircraft fire at Manchester Airport, to illustrate the point of whether the coroners in those cases had brought safety contingency plans issues into the scope of the inquest.
He said that the officers were giving evidence to help the people of Omagh to learn what had happened to their relatives.
He said it is easy for barristers to ask questions that made them look good and make the witness look uncomfortable.
He said that if any of the families felt that there was a case to make against any officer, a complaint should be made to the relevant police authorities or else begin a civil action.
THE role of the inquest was discussed at the afternoon session on Tuesday.
As a result, a skeleton argument is to be submitted to the coroner on Wednesday of next week from Mr Mike Mansfield QC outlining the type of questions he proposes to ask of police witnesses in reference to the policing system.
The coroner mentioned that the questions would relate to the system, the meaning of contingency plans what they were and what form they took.
A response to the skeleton argument is expected from Mr Stephen Richie BL by Monday of the following week.
Mr Richie, speaking for the RUC chief constable, said he wanted to know expressly where the line of enquiry was headed with regard to the police witnesses.
"The objection is that the perception and reality is that these men will be accused and they will be in effect, be on trial," said Mr Richie.
He also said that if Mr Mansfield was making allegations of corporate negligence that would be offensive in terms of domestic law.
Safeguards
"If persons are being accused of something which is civil or criminal they are guaranteed certain minimum safeguards," he continued.
Mansfield: "There has been no single question that has impugned or suggested criticism of an individual officer,"
He made the point that questions of that kind had been asked at the Clapham rail disaster enquiry and that of the Kings-Cross fire in London.
Mr Mansfield said that it was not unknown for these kinds of questions to be asked at inquiries of this nature. He also mentioned the Marchioness disaster which occurred on the River Thames.
Mr Leckey made reference to other enquiries that had taken place over the years including the Zebrugge ferry disaster, Hillsborough Stadium, Bradford, and the aircraft fire at Manchester Airport, to illustrate the point of whether the coroners in those cases had brought safety contingency plans issues into the scope of the inquest.
He said that the officers were giving evidence to help the people of Omagh to learn what had happened to their relatives.
He said it is easy for barristers to ask questions that made them look good and make the witness look uncomfortable.
He said that if any of the families felt that there was a case to make against any officer, a complaint should be made to the relevant police authorities or else begin a civil action.
Further Information
Publisher: TYRONE CONSTITUTION
Ref: TC/1528
Published Date: 14-Sep-00
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