Cookstown hotel disco crush: Police officers reported to prosecutors

Lauren Bullock, 17, Morgan Barnard, 17, and 16-year-old Connor Currie, died

The Police Ombudsman has completed an investigation into officer conduct and a fatal crush outside a disco in 2019.

Lauren Bullock, 17, Morgan Barnard, 17, and Connor Currie, 16, died as hundreds queued outside Cookstown's Greenvale Hotel on 17 March - St Patrick's Day.

The investigation got under way when it emerged the first officers who arrived at the scene withdrew to await support.

A file of evidence on five officers has been sent to the Public Prosecution Service (PPS) for consideration.

None of the five officers under investigation has been suspended.

Misconduct suspicion

The Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) referred the matter to the ombudsman within days of the tragedy.

The then Chief Constable Sir George Hamilton initially described the officers' actions as "brave", but later said he regretted causing the families distress in doing so.

At the time it was reported that the investigation would cover four officers who went to the Greenvale Hotel and another who dealt with call handling on the night.

Greenvale Hotel owner Michael McElhatton was among those questioned by police

"During the course of the investigation, five police officers were interviewed under criminal caution on suspicion of the offence of misconduct in a public office," said a statement from the ombudsman's office.

"The Police Ombudsman has sent a file for direction to the Public Prosecution Service.

"As this is an ongoing investigation, the Police Ombudsman cannot provide any further information at this time."

The Police Federation, which represents rank-and-file police officers, said it supported calls for an inquiry into the causes of and responses to the tragedy .

"The deaths of three young people on a night out is one which will resonate throughout society for many years to come and my thoughts are with their families as we approach the third anniversary of this incident," chairman Mark Lindsay said.

"I have no doubt whatsoever that my colleagues who attended this shocking and tragic incident did their best in what were unique and challenging circumstances.

"I agree with the families of the young victims that there should be an inquiry into the causes and responses to the incident, which examines the roles of the various agencies involved and that of the event organisers."

'Significant amounts of material'

The PSNI has been conducting a separate investigation.

Among those it questioned was the hotel owner, Michael McElhatton.

On Thursday, the PSNI said it had taken more than 1,300 witness statements and specially-trained officers had interviewed more than 140 young people.

"In total, 11 individuals have been interviewed by police in connection with a range of criminal offences and we await the response of the Public Prosecution Service," Det Supt Eamonn Corrigan said.

"The file of evidence contains significant amounts of material and may take some time for the PPS to consider.

"Because these matters are now being considered by the PPS, it would not be appropriate to comment further."

The officer said the police investigation into the deaths "remains active".

The PSNI file has been with the PPS since February 2021.

"All the available evidence in this large and complex file is being carefully considered by the prosecution team," said a PPS spokesperson.

"While we are not yet in a position to take decisions, significant progress has been made since receiving the file.

"We are conscious of the length of time which has passed since the tragedy and are working hard to issue decisions as quickly as possible, whilst giving these matters proper and careful consideration.

"We will update the families when there are key developments."