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21/03/2007
Police 'justified' in opening fire on man
A police officer who shot a man that planted a bomb in Belfast city centre was justified in doing so, according to a report by the Northern Ireland Police Ombudsman.
Nuala O’Loan said it was necessary for the officer to shoot the man he believed was reaching for a weapon.
The shooting happened in Upper Queen Street when a man and his accomplice left a bomb outside the premises of the Driver Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA) in 2002.
Police then intercepted the men and Mrs O’Loan said the opening of fire was “reasonable, proportionate and necessary in the circumstances.”
Paul Donnelly, 27, from Colinview Street in west Belfast was critically injured and was subsequently convicted of possessing explosives with intent to endanger life. He was jailed for five years and his accomplice received 12 years.
Several witnesses also said they heard officers issue warnings before the shooting.
“The driver was told to put his hands where they could be seen. Instead, officers stated that he appeared to try to pull something from the waistband area of his trousers,” the report said.
“Fearing he was trying to reach for a gun, an officer discharged a single shot, which struck the man behind his right arm and and lodged in his left leg.”
The report concluded: “No other method of control or restraint was available or practicable in order to eliminate the immediate threat.
“The officer had no alternative but to use his firearm.”
(JM/KMcA)
Nuala O’Loan said it was necessary for the officer to shoot the man he believed was reaching for a weapon.
The shooting happened in Upper Queen Street when a man and his accomplice left a bomb outside the premises of the Driver Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA) in 2002.
Police then intercepted the men and Mrs O’Loan said the opening of fire was “reasonable, proportionate and necessary in the circumstances.”
Paul Donnelly, 27, from Colinview Street in west Belfast was critically injured and was subsequently convicted of possessing explosives with intent to endanger life. He was jailed for five years and his accomplice received 12 years.
Several witnesses also said they heard officers issue warnings before the shooting.
“The driver was told to put his hands where they could be seen. Instead, officers stated that he appeared to try to pull something from the waistband area of his trousers,” the report said.
“Fearing he was trying to reach for a gun, an officer discharged a single shot, which struck the man behind his right arm and and lodged in his left leg.”
The report concluded: “No other method of control or restraint was available or practicable in order to eliminate the immediate threat.
“The officer had no alternative but to use his firearm.”
(JM/KMcA)
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