Menu
24/05/2011
'No Collusion' Over Solicitor's Bomb Murder
A public inquiry in Northern Ireland into alleged State agency collusion with loyalist terrorists who murdered a Co Armagh solicitor Rosemary Nelson in 1999 has cleared the police of complicity.
It found there was no such "wrongful act or omission by or within the Royal Ulster Constabulary, Northern Ireland Office or Army or any other state agency" as it had been commissioned to investigate, but it could not exclude the possibility that a 'rogue member' of the security forces had been involved.
The NI Secretary of State Owen Paterson has however told the House of Commons that there were failings in the measures taken to protect the lawyer and said that the government was "profoundly sorry" for these failures.
In counterpoint, the victim's widower, Paul, claimed last night that the inquiry had "vindicated his wife's belief that elements of the Royal Ulster Constabulary (RUC) were unable to identify her as a professional lawyer and distinguish her from the alleged crimes and causes of her clients".
He said that after Mrs Nelson represented several high profile clients including prominent republican Colin Duffy and the Garvaghy Road Residents Association, the loyalist paramilitary group, the Red Hand Defenders, killed her in a booby-trap bomb attack near her home.
He said that the RUC not only failed to protect her, but had effectively set her up for murder and had "legitimised her (Mrs Nelson) as a target" by publicly abusing and assaulting her in Portadown two years before her death.
The inquiry was conducted by a panel of three: retired judge Sir Michael Morland, former Chairman of the Board of Customs and Excise, Dame Valerie Strachan, and Sir Anthony Burden, former Chief Constable of South Wales police.
They were asked to determine "whether any wrongful act or omission by or within the Royal Ulster Constabulary, Northern Ireland Office or Army or any other state agency facilitated her death or obstructed the investigation of it".
In the event, the multi-million pound probe ruled that state agencies did not directly collude with loyalists who murdered Lurgan solicitor Rosemary Nelson in 1999.
(BMcC/GK)
It found there was no such "wrongful act or omission by or within the Royal Ulster Constabulary, Northern Ireland Office or Army or any other state agency" as it had been commissioned to investigate, but it could not exclude the possibility that a 'rogue member' of the security forces had been involved.
The NI Secretary of State Owen Paterson has however told the House of Commons that there were failings in the measures taken to protect the lawyer and said that the government was "profoundly sorry" for these failures.
In counterpoint, the victim's widower, Paul, claimed last night that the inquiry had "vindicated his wife's belief that elements of the Royal Ulster Constabulary (RUC) were unable to identify her as a professional lawyer and distinguish her from the alleged crimes and causes of her clients".
He said that after Mrs Nelson represented several high profile clients including prominent republican Colin Duffy and the Garvaghy Road Residents Association, the loyalist paramilitary group, the Red Hand Defenders, killed her in a booby-trap bomb attack near her home.
He said that the RUC not only failed to protect her, but had effectively set her up for murder and had "legitimised her (Mrs Nelson) as a target" by publicly abusing and assaulting her in Portadown two years before her death.
The inquiry was conducted by a panel of three: retired judge Sir Michael Morland, former Chairman of the Board of Customs and Excise, Dame Valerie Strachan, and Sir Anthony Burden, former Chief Constable of South Wales police.
They were asked to determine "whether any wrongful act or omission by or within the Royal Ulster Constabulary, Northern Ireland Office or Army or any other state agency facilitated her death or obstructed the investigation of it".
In the event, the multi-million pound probe ruled that state agencies did not directly collude with loyalists who murdered Lurgan solicitor Rosemary Nelson in 1999.
(BMcC/GK)
Related UK National News Stories
Click here for the latest headlines.
05 May 2004
Environment Agency warns of low eel and salmon stocks
The Environment Agency has announced that anglers can find fish in more rivers than at any time in the past century. However, the Our Nations’ Fisheries report conducted by the agency, also warned that stocks of certain fish species are at dangerously low levels.
Environment Agency warns of low eel and salmon stocks
The Environment Agency has announced that anglers can find fish in more rivers than at any time in the past century. However, the Our Nations’ Fisheries report conducted by the agency, also warned that stocks of certain fish species are at dangerously low levels.
05 September 2006
Attempted murder inquiry launched after shooting
Gwent Police have launched an attempted murder inquiry following the shooting of two brothers in Abergavenny on Sunday. Police were called to reports of a shooting in Usk View, Govilon on Sunday afternoon. Two men, brothers Gareth Harris, 17, and Anthony Price, 20, were found in the garden of a house, with gunshot wounds to the lower legs.
Attempted murder inquiry launched after shooting
Gwent Police have launched an attempted murder inquiry following the shooting of two brothers in Abergavenny on Sunday. Police were called to reports of a shooting in Usk View, Govilon on Sunday afternoon. Two men, brothers Gareth Harris, 17, and Anthony Price, 20, were found in the garden of a house, with gunshot wounds to the lower legs.
18 February 2008
Possible 'Release' For Hotel Plunge Dad
A man who killed his young son in a plunge from a hotel balcony while on holiday in Crete could return to Britain soon, according to reports.
Possible 'Release' For Hotel Plunge Dad
A man who killed his young son in a plunge from a hotel balcony while on holiday in Crete could return to Britain soon, according to reports.
04 June 2015
Man Charged With Attempted Murder
A man has been charged with attempted murder following an incident in Faversham at the weekend. Kent Police confirmed Lincoln Payne, of no fixed abode, had been charged with robbery, theft and two counts of attempted murder following an incident in Fostall Avenue on Saturday, 30 May.
Man Charged With Attempted Murder
A man has been charged with attempted murder following an incident in Faversham at the weekend. Kent Police confirmed Lincoln Payne, of no fixed abode, had been charged with robbery, theft and two counts of attempted murder following an incident in Fostall Avenue on Saturday, 30 May.
11 August 2011
Shot Belfast Man Recovering
A 35-year-old man has been shot twice in the leg inside a house in Twinbrook in Co Antrim on the outskirts of Belfast. A young girl and a woman were in the house in the Summerhill Drive area when the attack happened on Wednesday night. However, it is not believed that the man's injuries are life threatening.
Shot Belfast Man Recovering
A 35-year-old man has been shot twice in the leg inside a house in Twinbrook in Co Antrim on the outskirts of Belfast. A young girl and a woman were in the house in the Summerhill Drive area when the attack happened on Wednesday night. However, it is not believed that the man's injuries are life threatening.
-
Northern Ireland WeatherToday:A showery start with outbreaks most frequent north of Lough Neagh and through the morning, before dwindling during the afternoon as the northwest breezes ease and brighter spells of weak sunshine prosper. Maximum temperature 8 °C.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.
