22 July 1999 Edition
Donnelly letter accuses RUC
By Deirdre Feehan
The RUC initially refused to investigate allegations that its members made death threats against Rosemary Nelson. It only agreed to do so under pressure from the Independent Commission for Police Complaints but classed the death threat complaints under the relatively minor category of ``incivility''
Fresh demands have been made for a fully independent investigation into the 15 March killing of Rosemary Nelson have followed controversial new claims that the RUC refused to properly investigate death threats made by RUC officers against the Lurgan solicitor.
The latest damaging revelations came in a private document written by Independent Commission for Police Complaints (ICPC) Chairperson Paul Donnelly that was leaked to a Belfast newspaper.
The letter, which was circulated privately to RUC boss Ronnie Flanagan and British Secretary of State Mo Mowlam, disclosed that RUC officers who are subject to a complaint are given witness statements and other documentation on the case being made against them in advance of them being questioned.
The Donnelly letter also revealed details of the controversy surrounding the internal RUC investigation into Rosemary Nelson's complaints that RUC officers threatened her life. It pointed to a behind-the-scenes split between the RUC and ICPC over the handling of the case. These criticisms included claims that the RUC initially refused to investigate allegations that its members made death threats against the Lurgan solicitor. It only agreed to do so under pressure from the ICPC but classed the death threat complaints under the relatively minor category of ``incivility'', which Donnelly said could be construed as ``resistance and trivialisation of a serious matter''.
Sinn Féin Upper Bann Assembly member Dara O'Hagan said:
``This case underlines the need for a fully RUC-free investigation into Rosemary's murder.''
O'Hagan said the RUC had proven itself incapable of investigating the death threat allegations and was incapable of investigating her murder.
A spokesperson for the Rosemary Nelson Campaign, Robbie McVeigh, said:
``The RUC was not even willing to initiate an investigation into the death threats made against Rosemary Nelson by RUC officers before ICPC pressure was put on them. These revelations confirm the need for an entirely independent investigation into Rosemary Nelson's murder.
``It is outrageous that the RUC categorised this complaint as `incivility'. It demonstrates their refusal to take the matter seriously. There can be no confidence in the RUC's ability to investigate the murder.''
These developments may now see what Donnelly described as ``outrageous'' practices favouring RUC officers excised from the RUC's complaints procedures. A top-level working party of RUC, Northern Ireland Office and ICPC personnel, set up to scrutinise a series of shortcomings in complaints procedures, is now expected to deliver fresh reforms within months.
It is believed these reforms will be directed towards concerns raised over the handling of the internal inquiry into the threats made by the RUC against Rosemary Nelson. An individual from the office of Her Majesty's' Inspectorate of Constabularies has been added to the investigating team, indicating the degree of pressure on the British to reform the RUC complaints system.
The working party is not linked to the Patten Commission, currently considering the future of policing and due to report in September. It is expected, however, to draw conclusions that will impact on the creation of a powerful police ombudsman's office due to replace the ICPC.
The RUC initially refused to investigate allegations that its members made death threats against Rosemary Nelson. It only agreed to do so under pressure from the Independent Commission for Police Complaints but classed the death threat complaints under the relatively minor category of ``incivility''
Fresh demands have been made for a fully independent investigation into the 15 March killing of Rosemary Nelson have followed controversial new claims that the RUC refused to properly investigate death threats made by RUC officers against the Lurgan solicitor.
The latest damaging revelations came in a private document written by Independent Commission for Police Complaints (ICPC) Chairperson Paul Donnelly that was leaked to a Belfast newspaper.
The letter, which was circulated privately to RUC boss Ronnie Flanagan and British Secretary of State Mo Mowlam, disclosed that RUC officers who are subject to a complaint are given witness statements and other documentation on the case being made against them in advance of them being questioned.
The Donnelly letter also revealed details of the controversy surrounding the internal RUC investigation into Rosemary Nelson's complaints that RUC officers threatened her life. It pointed to a behind-the-scenes split between the RUC and ICPC over the handling of the case. These criticisms included claims that the RUC initially refused to investigate allegations that its members made death threats against the Lurgan solicitor. It only agreed to do so under pressure from the ICPC but classed the death threat complaints under the relatively minor category of ``incivility'', which Donnelly said could be construed as ``resistance and trivialisation of a serious matter''.
Sinn Féin Upper Bann Assembly member Dara O'Hagan said:
``This case underlines the need for a fully RUC-free investigation into Rosemary's murder.''
O'Hagan said the RUC had proven itself incapable of investigating the death threat allegations and was incapable of investigating her murder.
A spokesperson for the Rosemary Nelson Campaign, Robbie McVeigh, said:
``The RUC was not even willing to initiate an investigation into the death threats made against Rosemary Nelson by RUC officers before ICPC pressure was put on them. These revelations confirm the need for an entirely independent investigation into Rosemary Nelson's murder.
``It is outrageous that the RUC categorised this complaint as `incivility'. It demonstrates their refusal to take the matter seriously. There can be no confidence in the RUC's ability to investigate the murder.''
These developments may now see what Donnelly described as ``outrageous'' practices favouring RUC officers excised from the RUC's complaints procedures. A top-level working party of RUC, Northern Ireland Office and ICPC personnel, set up to scrutinise a series of shortcomings in complaints procedures, is now expected to deliver fresh reforms within months.
It is believed these reforms will be directed towards concerns raised over the handling of the internal inquiry into the threats made by the RUC against Rosemary Nelson. An individual from the office of Her Majesty's' Inspectorate of Constabularies has been added to the investigating team, indicating the degree of pressure on the British to reform the RUC complaints system.
The working party is not linked to the Patten Commission, currently considering the future of policing and due to report in September. It is expected, however, to draw conclusions that will impact on the creation of a powerful police ombudsman's office due to replace the ICPC.