26 March 1998 Edition

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Challenge to RUC inquiry

There is to be a High Court challenge to the Independent Commission for Police Complaints (ICPC) investigation into the Derryhirk Inn shooting last March. Lawyers are seeking a judicial review of the ICPC's approval of the RUC's investigation into the incident when undercover RUC men opened fire on the bar.

The incident generated 92 official complaints and the investigation had been consistently criticised because an RUC man who was involved in the incident also had access to papers relevant to the RUC investigation. Despite this, the ICPC pronounced itself satisfied with the criminal investigation and passed its report to the DPP on Monday, 23 March.

Solicitor Paul Fitzsimons, who launched the legal move, has strongly condemned the ICPC's assessment of the RUC investigation. He said, ``it is unreasonable that any proper investigating or supervisory body could come to the conclusion that the ICPC did.''

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