Menu
19/06/2014
RUC Unaware Of Adams Attack
There has been no evidence found of RUC involvement in the UFF gun attack on Gerry Adams and four other men in Belfast city centre on 14 March 1984, according to the Police Ombudsman.
The Sinn Féin leader was in a car with four other men making their way from Belfast Magistrates' Court when loyalist gunmen opened fire on the vehicle.
The driver, despite being hit twice by the gunfire, managed to get the vehicle to the Royal Victoria Hospital, where they all received medical attention.
An off-duty Ulster Defence Regiment (UDR) soldier who was driving in the city centre at the time gave chase to the gunmen's car. As it stopped in traffic, the soldier got out of his vehicle and drew his firearm. A policeman, who had also been off-duty, then arrived on the scene, as did two soldiers in plain clothes.
The three gunmen in the car were detained and convicted of the attack.
Mr Adams then made a complaint to the Police Ombudsman's Office following articles in two newspapers that claimed members of the RUC had prior knowledge of the attack.
A Police Ombudsman team spoke with Mr Adams, to the soldiers who arrived on the scene, to bystanders, to the gunmen who carried out the attack and to a number of retired police officers.
Police Ombudsman investigators also spoke to journalists involved in the media reporting that claimed the RUC had known about the attack before it happened, but they said the journalists were unwilling to reveal where they had received the information.
The Police Ombudsman had the ammunition used in the attack examined independently by a firearms expert. He found no evidence that the items had been tampered with and said they had 'lethal potential'.
Police Ombudsman Dr Michael Maguire said: "We have talked to all the people involved in the events that day, including the perpetrators, the victims and the police. We have examined all the available evidence, including forensic and sensitive intelligence material and found no evidence that police knew of the attack beforehand."
(IT/JP)
The Sinn Féin leader was in a car with four other men making their way from Belfast Magistrates' Court when loyalist gunmen opened fire on the vehicle.
The driver, despite being hit twice by the gunfire, managed to get the vehicle to the Royal Victoria Hospital, where they all received medical attention.
An off-duty Ulster Defence Regiment (UDR) soldier who was driving in the city centre at the time gave chase to the gunmen's car. As it stopped in traffic, the soldier got out of his vehicle and drew his firearm. A policeman, who had also been off-duty, then arrived on the scene, as did two soldiers in plain clothes.
The three gunmen in the car were detained and convicted of the attack.
Mr Adams then made a complaint to the Police Ombudsman's Office following articles in two newspapers that claimed members of the RUC had prior knowledge of the attack.
A Police Ombudsman team spoke with Mr Adams, to the soldiers who arrived on the scene, to bystanders, to the gunmen who carried out the attack and to a number of retired police officers.
Police Ombudsman investigators also spoke to journalists involved in the media reporting that claimed the RUC had known about the attack before it happened, but they said the journalists were unwilling to reveal where they had received the information.
The Police Ombudsman had the ammunition used in the attack examined independently by a firearms expert. He found no evidence that the items had been tampered with and said they had 'lethal potential'.
Police Ombudsman Dr Michael Maguire said: "We have talked to all the people involved in the events that day, including the perpetrators, the victims and the police. We have examined all the available evidence, including forensic and sensitive intelligence material and found no evidence that police knew of the attack beforehand."
(IT/JP)
Related Northern Ireland News Stories
Click here for the latest headlines.
23 June 2016
Police Officers Disciplined For Failing To Tell Doctor About Woman's Head Injuries
Two police officers have been disciplined after they failed to let their colleagues and a police doctor know that a woman had sustained a head injury, a Police Ombudsman investigation has concluded. The woman died from bleeding to the brain on 24 February 2014, the day after she suffered the injury.
Police Officers Disciplined For Failing To Tell Doctor About Woman's Head Injuries
Two police officers have been disciplined after they failed to let their colleagues and a police doctor know that a woman had sustained a head injury, a Police Ombudsman investigation has concluded. The woman died from bleeding to the brain on 24 February 2014, the day after she suffered the injury.
21 April 2016
Officer Disciplined For Failing To Properly Investigate Assault On Boy
A police officer has been disciplined after failing to properly investigate an allegation that a man annoyed by children playing football near his car, attacked a 12-year-old boy by kicking him on the hand.
Officer Disciplined For Failing To Properly Investigate Assault On Boy
A police officer has been disciplined after failing to properly investigate an allegation that a man annoyed by children playing football near his car, attacked a 12-year-old boy by kicking him on the hand.
14 May 2012
Seven Police Officers Disciplined Over Pensioner's Death
Seven police officers have been disciplined over an investigation into the death of Lisburn man Jim Heasley in October 2010. The 70-year-old was assaulted as he walked home from Lagan Valley Pigeon Club. An investigation by the Police Ombudsman found a series of failings in the initial police response.
Seven Police Officers Disciplined Over Pensioner's Death
Seven police officers have been disciplined over an investigation into the death of Lisburn man Jim Heasley in October 2010. The 70-year-old was assaulted as he walked home from Lagan Valley Pigeon Club. An investigation by the Police Ombudsman found a series of failings in the initial police response.
08 February 2022
Ombudsman: 'Collusive Behaviours' From Police In Loyalist Murders
The Police Ombudsman has found significant investigative and intelligence failures and "collusive behaviours" by the RUC in relation to a series of murders and attempted murders by the UDA/UFF in south Belfast in the 1990s.
Ombudsman: 'Collusive Behaviours' From Police In Loyalist Murders
The Police Ombudsman has found significant investigative and intelligence failures and "collusive behaviours" by the RUC in relation to a series of murders and attempted murders by the UDA/UFF in south Belfast in the 1990s.
06 May 2021
'Investigative Failures' By Police Found Over Four Deaths
Significant operational and investigative failures by the police over the deaths of four people during severe disorder in Belfast in August 1969 have been found, according to the Police Ombudsman.
'Investigative Failures' By Police Found Over Four Deaths
Significant operational and investigative failures by the police over the deaths of four people during severe disorder in Belfast in August 1969 have been found, according to the Police Ombudsman.
-
Northern Ireland WeatherThis Evening and Tonight:A dry night, save for a few light showers around the coasts, with prolonged clear spells and light winds bringing a frosty dawn for many in central and southern parts. Minimum temperature -3 °C.
