ORDE MEETING NOT A WITCH HUNT AGAINST RUC/PSNI SAYS BUCHANAN
Orde meeting 'not a witch hunt against RUC/PSNI', says Buchanan
Pursuit of justice 'a critical matter'
by Emma Stewart
West Tyrone MLA and member of the NI Policing Board, Mr Tom Buchanan, has emphasised that last Thursday's meeting with Chief Constable, Sir Hugh Orde, was 'not a witch hunt against the RUC/PSNI'.
Speaking in the wake of the highly publicised private meeting, at which the Policing Board confirmed that they would be commissioning an independent external review into the police investigations surrounding the Omagh bomb, Mr Buchanan called the pursuit of justice a 'critical matter'.
"This meeting was not a witch hunt against the RUC/PSNI but rather an opportunity to question the Chief Constable, not only on the preparation of the case but also on the various stages of the judicial consideration in progressing the case."
He continued: "While we must never forget the people of Omagh who suffered and continue to suffer as a result of this horrendous atrocity and have a right to see justice delivered, it is important to remain focused on who the main perpetrators who caused such grief and sorrow were.
"While the RUC/PSNI sought to gather evidence to put together a case to bring to justice those responsible, which was rejected by the judge, it now remains the responsibility of those within the communities who have any information and failed to pass it on to the PSNI in the past to now bring it forward, as this in the view of the Chief Constable is the only potential for future prosecution."
Vowing that justice would be 'vigorously pursued' he underlined the Policing Board's commitment to continuing investigations into such 'atrocities'.
During last Thursday's lengthy meeting, Chief Constable, Sir Hugh Orde, faced tough questions over the police processes which led to charges being brought against South Armagh electrician, Sean Hoey, all 58 of which he was later acquitted.
In the December verdict, Mr Justice Weir had identified elements of 'deliberate and calculated deception' by two PSNI officers, as well as a more general 'cavalier disregard' for the integrity of material evidence throughout the Omagh investigation.
Noting that the prosecution's case had failed to provide 'proof beyond reasonable doubt', he proffered a scathing indictment of elements of the police investigation.
In the light of such criticism, members of the Policing Board met to seek answers from the Chief Constable on a trial that has been described by some bereaved Omagh families as a 'farce'.
Speaking after the meeting, Board Chairman Professor Sir Desmond Rea said: "The Board called this meeting, in the light of Mr Justice Weir's judgment, to hold the PSNI to account through the Chief Constable for the delivery of effective, efficient and impartial policing."
Questioning Sir High Orde on the preparation of the case, the various stages of judicial consideration in its progression, and the Chief Constable's understanding of the judgement in its totality, the group nonetheless underlined their commitment to continuing to seek justice for the victims' families.
"The most important issue for Members today was whether the investigation can be progressed with any prospect of a successful conviction. The Board noted the Chief Constable's view that the potential for future prosecution was limited unless further witnesses step forward.
"There are people in the community who have information and as a Board we would also join with the Chief Constable in urging anyone with any information or fresh evidence to bring this to the police."
Speaking on the proposed review, he continued: "The independent external overview will consider the various recommendations arising from the deficiencies of the initial investigation; and the various reports that have been carried out subsequently."
Making reference to issues over the veracity of statements made by Ms Fiona Cooper and a Detective Chief Inspector Marshall, as highlighted by Mr Justice Weir, he added: "Serious issues have been raised around the conduct of some of the officers giving evidence in this case. Whilst not part of the specific Omagh investigation team, their conduct in court was subject to very specific comment by Mr Justice Weir and the instigation by him of an investigation by the Police Ombudsman.
As well as having been interviewed by the Police Ombudsman, files pertaining to the officers in question were forwarded to the Public Prosecution Service (PPS) in August.
Sir Desmond Rea concluded: "The Judge also inferred that 'others may also have played a part'. The Board will seek clarification from the Lord Chief Justice about comments in the judgment in respect of the conduct of others and return to both matters at that time."
Pursuit of justice 'a critical matter'
by Emma Stewart
West Tyrone MLA and member of the NI Policing Board, Mr Tom Buchanan, has emphasised that last Thursday's meeting with Chief Constable, Sir Hugh Orde, was 'not a witch hunt against the RUC/PSNI'.
Speaking in the wake of the highly publicised private meeting, at which the Policing Board confirmed that they would be commissioning an independent external review into the police investigations surrounding the Omagh bomb, Mr Buchanan called the pursuit of justice a 'critical matter'.
"This meeting was not a witch hunt against the RUC/PSNI but rather an opportunity to question the Chief Constable, not only on the preparation of the case but also on the various stages of the judicial consideration in progressing the case."
He continued: "While we must never forget the people of Omagh who suffered and continue to suffer as a result of this horrendous atrocity and have a right to see justice delivered, it is important to remain focused on who the main perpetrators who caused such grief and sorrow were.
"While the RUC/PSNI sought to gather evidence to put together a case to bring to justice those responsible, which was rejected by the judge, it now remains the responsibility of those within the communities who have any information and failed to pass it on to the PSNI in the past to now bring it forward, as this in the view of the Chief Constable is the only potential for future prosecution."
Vowing that justice would be 'vigorously pursued' he underlined the Policing Board's commitment to continuing investigations into such 'atrocities'.
During last Thursday's lengthy meeting, Chief Constable, Sir Hugh Orde, faced tough questions over the police processes which led to charges being brought against South Armagh electrician, Sean Hoey, all 58 of which he was later acquitted.
In the December verdict, Mr Justice Weir had identified elements of 'deliberate and calculated deception' by two PSNI officers, as well as a more general 'cavalier disregard' for the integrity of material evidence throughout the Omagh investigation.
Noting that the prosecution's case had failed to provide 'proof beyond reasonable doubt', he proffered a scathing indictment of elements of the police investigation.
In the light of such criticism, members of the Policing Board met to seek answers from the Chief Constable on a trial that has been described by some bereaved Omagh families as a 'farce'.
Speaking after the meeting, Board Chairman Professor Sir Desmond Rea said: "The Board called this meeting, in the light of Mr Justice Weir's judgment, to hold the PSNI to account through the Chief Constable for the delivery of effective, efficient and impartial policing."
Questioning Sir High Orde on the preparation of the case, the various stages of judicial consideration in its progression, and the Chief Constable's understanding of the judgement in its totality, the group nonetheless underlined their commitment to continuing to seek justice for the victims' families.
"The most important issue for Members today was whether the investigation can be progressed with any prospect of a successful conviction. The Board noted the Chief Constable's view that the potential for future prosecution was limited unless further witnesses step forward.
"There are people in the community who have information and as a Board we would also join with the Chief Constable in urging anyone with any information or fresh evidence to bring this to the police."
Speaking on the proposed review, he continued: "The independent external overview will consider the various recommendations arising from the deficiencies of the initial investigation; and the various reports that have been carried out subsequently."
Making reference to issues over the veracity of statements made by Ms Fiona Cooper and a Detective Chief Inspector Marshall, as highlighted by Mr Justice Weir, he added: "Serious issues have been raised around the conduct of some of the officers giving evidence in this case. Whilst not part of the specific Omagh investigation team, their conduct in court was subject to very specific comment by Mr Justice Weir and the instigation by him of an investigation by the Police Ombudsman.
As well as having been interviewed by the Police Ombudsman, files pertaining to the officers in question were forwarded to the Public Prosecution Service (PPS) in August.
Sir Desmond Rea concluded: "The Judge also inferred that 'others may also have played a part'. The Board will seek clarification from the Lord Chief Justice about comments in the judgment in respect of the conduct of others and return to both matters at that time."
Further Information
Publisher: TYRONE CONSTITUTION
Ref: TC/1909
Published Date: 10-Jan-08
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