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10/06/2014
Officers Disciplined Over GAA Fire Investigation
Five PSNI officers have been disciplined after an investigation by the Police Ombudsman found that police had failed to properly investigate a fire at a L'Derry GAA clubhouse in 2011.
The fire at the Sean Dolan GAA clubhouse broke out in the early hours of Saturday, 28 December 2011, causing extensive damage.
A senior member of the club told Police Ombudsman investigators on the morning of the fire that he had met two police officers at the scene, but that they had said there was no sign of forced entry and the fire could have started as a result of an electrical fault within the building.
The following day, the club member was told by a PSNI Constable and Fire Service investigators that it was almost certain the fire had been caused by an electrical fault.
After a PSNI officer watched footage from the CCTV cameras in the clubhouse, the police issued a statement reiterating that a crime had not been committed.
However, two members of the club then contacted Sinn Féin, who arranged a meeting with senior police and viewed the footage together.
The following day, Monday 30 December, 2011, police issued a new public statement, now saying they were treating the fire as arson.
On 3 January 2012, the PSNI contacted the Police Ombudman's Office to express concerns over the original investigation.
The Police Ombudsman, Dr Michael Maguire, has recommended that the Detective Sergeant and the seconded Constable involved in the initial investigation be disciplined for their failure to investigate the fire properly and that a Duty Sergeant and two Detective Inspectors should also face discipline for failure to supervise and guide the investigation.
Sinn Féin councillor Kevin Campbell said: "From the outset we were clear that we believed this was malicious. That was supported within days after we raised concerns with senior police officers.
"This report from the Police Ombudsman has vindicated that position. It highlights the accountability measures that exist to hold the PSNI to account when policing falls short of the required standard. I welcome this report and that the Ombudsman has recommended that appropriate action be taken to address it and to ensure it does not happen again."
(IT/MH)
The fire at the Sean Dolan GAA clubhouse broke out in the early hours of Saturday, 28 December 2011, causing extensive damage.
A senior member of the club told Police Ombudsman investigators on the morning of the fire that he had met two police officers at the scene, but that they had said there was no sign of forced entry and the fire could have started as a result of an electrical fault within the building.
The following day, the club member was told by a PSNI Constable and Fire Service investigators that it was almost certain the fire had been caused by an electrical fault.
After a PSNI officer watched footage from the CCTV cameras in the clubhouse, the police issued a statement reiterating that a crime had not been committed.
However, two members of the club then contacted Sinn Féin, who arranged a meeting with senior police and viewed the footage together.
The following day, Monday 30 December, 2011, police issued a new public statement, now saying they were treating the fire as arson.
On 3 January 2012, the PSNI contacted the Police Ombudman's Office to express concerns over the original investigation.
The Police Ombudsman, Dr Michael Maguire, has recommended that the Detective Sergeant and the seconded Constable involved in the initial investigation be disciplined for their failure to investigate the fire properly and that a Duty Sergeant and two Detective Inspectors should also face discipline for failure to supervise and guide the investigation.
Sinn Féin councillor Kevin Campbell said: "From the outset we were clear that we believed this was malicious. That was supported within days after we raised concerns with senior police officers.
"This report from the Police Ombudsman has vindicated that position. It highlights the accountability measures that exist to hold the PSNI to account when policing falls short of the required standard. I welcome this report and that the Ombudsman has recommended that appropriate action be taken to address it and to ensure it does not happen again."
(IT/MH)
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