PSNI finally releases 100 intelligence files to Police Ombudsman

WHAT could have ended up in an embarrassing court battle over access to police secret intelligence files has been averted by the PSNI finally agreeing to release the files to the North’s Police Ombudsman.

In June this year, Police Ombudsman Dr Michael Maguire threatened legal action against then PSNI Chief Constable Matt Baggott over his refusal to release over 100 intelligence files relating to 60 conflict-related killings.

The Ombudsman said on Tuesday that the PSNI has now accepted that his office has a legal right to see any material it wishes during the course of an investigation.

Dr Michael Maguire took the unprecedented step to pursue a judicial review in an attempt to force the PSNI to hand over sensitive intelligence information.

He maintained he had a legal right to view the material as part of investigations into recent and historic cases involving allegations of police criminality and misconduct by failing to properly investigate killings.

It is believed that the PSNI refused to open the files (including those relating to the 1994 Loughinisland, County Down, pub killings during an Ireland World Cup match) as evidence of collusion between RUC Special Branch officers and the UVF killers may be in them.

According to the Ombudsman, his requests for information have been turned down on more than 100 occasions.

Sinn Féin has supported the Ombudsman’s action as, according to Gerry Kelly MLA, a member of the North’s Policing Board:

“The independence of the Police Ombudsman’s office is central to building public confidence in policing.”

Gerry Kelly went on to say that the need to scrutinise the actions of the RUC in historical cases and the PSNI needed to be carried out objectively.

He welcomed the decision by new Chief Constable George Hamilton to release the files requested by Michael Maguire.