Ex-RUC officer to be prosecuted for 1970s Troubles murder
The case was brought as a result of an investigation by the Police Ombudsman
- Published
A former police officer is to be prosecuted for murder following an investigation into killings in Northern Ireland in the 1970s.
The decision comes after an investigation by the policing watchdog into 125 killings, which it said were "largely attributed" to the loyalist paramilitary organisation the Ulster Volunteer Force (UVF).
The investigation by the Police Ombudsman, known as Operation Newham, examined allegations that officers in the Royal Ulster Constabulary (RUC) colluded with loyalists in murders that were carried out in Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland.
It is not yet known which specific incidents are linked to the charges, which include murder and conspiracy to murder.
The murders examined by the Police Ombudsman in Northern Ireland (PONI) centred on mid-Ulster and south Armagh.
The Police Ombudsman, Marie Anderson, said she had decided to delay publishing her report on Operation Newham, which included an examination of the activities of a loyalist group known as the Glenanne Gang.
Police Ombudsman Marie Anderson said she had decided to delay her report on Operation Newham pending the criminal case
She said that publishing the report now would be "potentially prejudicial to future criminal proceedings".
Ms Anderson said Newham was one of the "largest and most complex" inquiries the agency had ever undertaken.
Northern Ireland's Public Prosecution Service (PPS) confirmed the decision had been taken to prosecute the former RUC officer and said it could not comment further at this time due to ongoing proceedings.
'Too little too late'
KRW Law, who represent some of the families affected by the Police Ombudsman investigation, said the prosecution comes "too little too late".
"Some of the affected families cautiously welcome this news but are suspicious over its timing," a statement said.
"Equally they are suspicious that the decision amounts to some contrived latter day consolation for failing to direct prosecutions against other ex-security force personnel some of whom arguably have more to answer for."
It added what should be a day of "positive news" is overshadowed by a sense that "this single ex-officer is being scapegoated for other failings".
"We are liaising with PONI and the PPS on the issues arising from todays news.
"Really, it's too little too late."