Police Ombudsman has no authority to investigate PSNI gun case

Oliver McMullan

The Police Ombudsman's Office has confirmed that it does not have the authority to investigate an incident involving a female PSNI member who brandished her loaded weapon in public, because she was off duty at the time.

The PSNI woman had been drinking in a bar in Cushendall, County Antrim on Saturday 19 March, and had later gone to a house party in the village, where the incident happened.

According to witnesses, a row broke out and the woman came downstairs brandishing her personal issue weapon.

Cushendall Sinn Féin Councillor Oliver McMullan, through his solicitor, asked the Ombudsman's office to look into the incident but was told they didn't have the authority to investigate.

The Ombudsman's office said that they had seen a copy of the PSNI investigation report and that the PSNI concluded that no action would be taken against the female member, who is still serving in the force.

McMullan said it was very worrying that the PSNI are the only people who are allowed to investigate the incident.

"We don't have any faith in the PSNI investigating itself so the conclusions of their investigations don't mean much to nationalists," he said.

McMullan rubbished PSNI claims that the woman had been told while in the pub that her life was under threat. "She couldn't have been taking this threat too seriously given that she stayed in the pub drinking then went on to this house party."