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14/08/2006
PSNI apologise to McConville family
Earlier today, the PSNI released a statement apologising to the family of IRA murder victim Jean McConville over the findings of the Police Ombudsman's investigation into her killing.
The report revealed that although Mrs McConville was murdered in 1972, a proper police investigation into the crime was not carried out until over 20-years after her death.
The statement read: “Jean McConville's family have suffered unimaginable pain and grief over the last 34 years. Their mother's brutal abduction and murder by the IRA is one of the most horrific cases in the history of the troubles. The idea of a mother being prised away from her children and taken away to be murdered is repulsive.
“The Police Service is studying the Police Ombudsman's findings. Police policy and practice into how it deals with missing persons and how it conducts investigations has changed significantly since 1972. We apologise unreservedly to the family for any failings made by police.”
It continued: “This terrible crime happened 34 years ago. 1972 was one of the worst years of the troubles. In 1972 there were 10,631 shooting incidents recorded, 1853 devices used. 470 people were killed including 17 police and 131 soldiers and almost 5,000 people injured. Policing operated in an entirely different environment than it does today.
The Chief Constable Sir Hugh Orde worked for the establishment of the Historical Enquiries Team (HET) in order to deal with historical cases. Jean McConville's case is now being investigated by the HET. We sincerely hope that this investigation will bring some comfort and closure to the McConville family.”
(EF)
The report revealed that although Mrs McConville was murdered in 1972, a proper police investigation into the crime was not carried out until over 20-years after her death.
The statement read: “Jean McConville's family have suffered unimaginable pain and grief over the last 34 years. Their mother's brutal abduction and murder by the IRA is one of the most horrific cases in the history of the troubles. The idea of a mother being prised away from her children and taken away to be murdered is repulsive.
“The Police Service is studying the Police Ombudsman's findings. Police policy and practice into how it deals with missing persons and how it conducts investigations has changed significantly since 1972. We apologise unreservedly to the family for any failings made by police.”
It continued: “This terrible crime happened 34 years ago. 1972 was one of the worst years of the troubles. In 1972 there were 10,631 shooting incidents recorded, 1853 devices used. 470 people were killed including 17 police and 131 soldiers and almost 5,000 people injured. Policing operated in an entirely different environment than it does today.
The Chief Constable Sir Hugh Orde worked for the establishment of the Historical Enquiries Team (HET) in order to deal with historical cases. Jean McConville's case is now being investigated by the HET. We sincerely hope that this investigation will bring some comfort and closure to the McConville family.”
(EF)
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14 August 2006
Ombudsman's report on McConville murder
The Police Ombudsman has today revealed that the investigation into a complaint from the family of IRA murder victim Jean McConville has concluded that police did not conduct an investigation into her disappearance for more than 20 years.
Ombudsman's report on McConville murder
The Police Ombudsman has today revealed that the investigation into a complaint from the family of IRA murder victim Jean McConville has concluded that police did not conduct an investigation into her disappearance for more than 20 years.
25 March 2014
Adams Contacts Police Over McConville Claims
Sinn Féin President, Gerry Adams, has asked his lawyer to contact the police to clarify if detectives need to interview him about the murder of Jean McConville. He was responding to speculation that police might want to question him after veteran republican Ivor Bell was refused bail at the weekend.
Adams Contacts Police Over McConville Claims
Sinn Féin President, Gerry Adams, has asked his lawyer to contact the police to clarify if detectives need to interview him about the murder of Jean McConville. He was responding to speculation that police might want to question him after veteran republican Ivor Bell was refused bail at the weekend.
06 May 2014
Robinson To Meet With Michael McConville
First Minister Peter Robinson has said he will meet with Michael McConville over his mother Jean's abduction and murder in 1972. Jean McConville was murdered by the IRA and buried on a beach in County Louth, where her body was discovered in 2003.
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First Minister Peter Robinson has said he will meet with Michael McConville over his mother Jean's abduction and murder in 1972. Jean McConville was murdered by the IRA and buried on a beach in County Louth, where her body was discovered in 2003.
06 May 2014
Adams Denies McConville 'Backlash' Threat
Gerry Adams has denied allegations that he threatened the son of IRA victim Jean McConville and warned him there would be a "backlash" if he revealed the names of the people who killed his mother. Michael McConville told the BBC he considered the Sinn Féin president's words a "threat".
Adams Denies McConville 'Backlash' Threat
Gerry Adams has denied allegations that he threatened the son of IRA victim Jean McConville and warned him there would be a "backlash" if he revealed the names of the people who killed his mother. Michael McConville told the BBC he considered the Sinn Féin president's words a "threat".
01 May 2014
Gerry Adams In Custody Over McConville Murder
Sinn Féin leader Gerry Adams is being questioned by the PSNI in connection with the murder of Jean McConville in 1972. Mr Adams was arrested on Wednesday night. Mrs McConville, 37, and a mother of 10 children, was abducted and shot by the IRA. Her body was found on a beach in County Louth in 2003.
Gerry Adams In Custody Over McConville Murder
Sinn Féin leader Gerry Adams is being questioned by the PSNI in connection with the murder of Jean McConville in 1972. Mr Adams was arrested on Wednesday night. Mrs McConville, 37, and a mother of 10 children, was abducted and shot by the IRA. Her body was found on a beach in County Louth in 2003.
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