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01/07/2002
Ombudsman to probe murder of Catholic RUC officer
The Police Ombudsman’s Office has said in light of fresh information it is to launch an investigation into the circumstances surrounding the murder of a Catholic Royal Ulster Constabulary officer 25 years ago.
In February 1977, 49-year-old Sergeant Joe Campbell was shot dead with a rifle as he locked up the small police station in Cushendall, County Antrim.
An RUC detective sergeant, who was arrested and charged with the murder, was later acquitted of Mr Campbell’s death.
Sergeant Campbell’s family and human rights campaigners believe he was a victim of collusion between members of the security forces and the loyalist paramilitary group, the Ulster Volunteer Force.
The Ombudsman’s office said new information, which had not been investigated previously, verified the need for a probe into possible police misconduct before and after the killing of Sergeant Campbell.
However the Police Ombudsman Nuala O’Loan, who investigates the actions of the Police Service of Northern Ireland, and its predecessor the RUC, stressed her office would not be reinvestigating the murder.
She said: “This will be a very difficult investigation as no doubt some of the people we may wish to speak to are now dead. We are also fully aware that information and memories from 25 years ago may not be complete.”
It is understood Mr Campbell’s family have passed fresh information to Mrs O’Loan’s team.
Information compiled by the human rights organisation, British Irish Rights Watch, and by the Sunday People newspaper has also been handed over to the Ombudsman.
The new investigation follows hot on the heels of a BBC Panorama programme which said the British Army’s Force Research Unit and RUC Special Branch had helped loyalists target Catholics.
(AMcE)
In February 1977, 49-year-old Sergeant Joe Campbell was shot dead with a rifle as he locked up the small police station in Cushendall, County Antrim.
An RUC detective sergeant, who was arrested and charged with the murder, was later acquitted of Mr Campbell’s death.
Sergeant Campbell’s family and human rights campaigners believe he was a victim of collusion between members of the security forces and the loyalist paramilitary group, the Ulster Volunteer Force.
The Ombudsman’s office said new information, which had not been investigated previously, verified the need for a probe into possible police misconduct before and after the killing of Sergeant Campbell.
However the Police Ombudsman Nuala O’Loan, who investigates the actions of the Police Service of Northern Ireland, and its predecessor the RUC, stressed her office would not be reinvestigating the murder.
She said: “This will be a very difficult investigation as no doubt some of the people we may wish to speak to are now dead. We are also fully aware that information and memories from 25 years ago may not be complete.”
It is understood Mr Campbell’s family have passed fresh information to Mrs O’Loan’s team.
Information compiled by the human rights organisation, British Irish Rights Watch, and by the Sunday People newspaper has also been handed over to the Ombudsman.
The new investigation follows hot on the heels of a BBC Panorama programme which said the British Army’s Force Research Unit and RUC Special Branch had helped loyalists target Catholics.
(AMcE)
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