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27/08/2010
RUC 'Not To Blame' On Claudy Failures
There have been continuing claims in the North that the RUC is being used as a 'scapegoat' for the failure to arrest a priest suspected of the bloody Claudy bombing in 1972.
Further allegations that officers wanted to investigate him have also been backed by a bomb victim's relative.
Gordon Miller spoke out amid ongoing anger at the revelations in the NI Police Ombudsman's report, which found evidence of a cover-up between the British Government and Catholic Church to protect Father James Chesney.
As reported in the Belfast News Letter, Mr Miller - who lost his father David in the atrocity - feel that the police actions cannot be seen in isolation.
Yesterday, the BBC reported that a Special Branch detective said they were within 15 minutes of launching an operation to search Father Chesney's house but they were told not to proceed, because "the matter was under control".
Earlier this week, a former RUC Inspector who also worked with Special Branch - and who was himself shot in an IRA murder bid - told 4NI that the RUC was being used as a "scapegoat" for something that was ordered from higher authority.
He is convinced that "senior police officers at the time wanted to pursue prosecutions against those involved but were stymied by Government".
The Police Ombudsman's report confirmed that detectives believed Fr James Chesney was involved in the Claudy bombing which killed nine people.
See: RUC 'Scapegoat' For Claudy
(BMcC/GK)
Further allegations that officers wanted to investigate him have also been backed by a bomb victim's relative.
Gordon Miller spoke out amid ongoing anger at the revelations in the NI Police Ombudsman's report, which found evidence of a cover-up between the British Government and Catholic Church to protect Father James Chesney.
As reported in the Belfast News Letter, Mr Miller - who lost his father David in the atrocity - feel that the police actions cannot be seen in isolation.
Yesterday, the BBC reported that a Special Branch detective said they were within 15 minutes of launching an operation to search Father Chesney's house but they were told not to proceed, because "the matter was under control".
Earlier this week, a former RUC Inspector who also worked with Special Branch - and who was himself shot in an IRA murder bid - told 4NI that the RUC was being used as a "scapegoat" for something that was ordered from higher authority.
He is convinced that "senior police officers at the time wanted to pursue prosecutions against those involved but were stymied by Government".
The Police Ombudsman's report confirmed that detectives believed Fr James Chesney was involved in the Claudy bombing which killed nine people.
See: RUC 'Scapegoat' For Claudy
(BMcC/GK)
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25 August 2010
RUC 'Scapegoat' For Claudy
A former RUC man has been reacting to claims that colleagues in the force may have colluded in the Claudy bomb cover-up. The retired Inspector - who must remain anonymous for his own safety and was shot and seriously wounded in an IRA attempt to murder him in Belfast - has this afternoon insisted that the police are being "scapegoated".
RUC 'Scapegoat' For Claudy
A former RUC man has been reacting to claims that colleagues in the force may have colluded in the Claudy bomb cover-up. The retired Inspector - who must remain anonymous for his own safety and was shot and seriously wounded in an IRA attempt to murder him in Belfast - has this afternoon insisted that the police are being "scapegoated".
21 February 2011
Bias 'Harmed McGurk's Bomb Probe'
Police in NI were so focused on the idea that the IRA was behind a 1971 bar bombing in north Belfast that it was not properly investigated, a report has said. Fifteen people died in the McGurk's bar attack, the worst Troubles atrocity prior to the Omagh bomb.
Bias 'Harmed McGurk's Bomb Probe'
Police in NI were so focused on the idea that the IRA was behind a 1971 bar bombing in north Belfast that it was not properly investigated, a report has said. Fifteen people died in the McGurk's bar attack, the worst Troubles atrocity prior to the Omagh bomb.
12 March 2010
Hamill Inquiry Says Reconsider RUC Case
The Robert Hamill Inquiry in the North has published a brief interim report today. It recommends that the Public Prosecution Service should look again at an earlier decision not to pursue a case against an ex RUC officer.
Hamill Inquiry Says Reconsider RUC Case
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13 January 2011
RUC Pay-off 'Too Much For Sinn Fein'
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13 March 2012
Former Taoiseach Told Garda Not To Assist NI Officials
The Smithwick Tribunal has heard how former taoiseach Jack Lynch told the Garda to give Northern authorties no assistance in their investigation of the Narrow Water bombing in which 18 British soldiers were killed, The Narrow Water bombing in August 1979 represented the single biggest loss of British army lives during the Troubles.
Former Taoiseach Told Garda Not To Assist NI Officials
The Smithwick Tribunal has heard how former taoiseach Jack Lynch told the Garda to give Northern authorties no assistance in their investigation of the Narrow Water bombing in which 18 British soldiers were killed, The Narrow Water bombing in August 1979 represented the single biggest loss of British army lives during the Troubles.
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Ireland WeatherToday:Scattered sleet and snow showers will turn increasingly heavy and more frequent in the afternoon across the north. Largely dry with sunny spells in the south, but showers spreading here towards the end of the day. Maximum temperature 4 °C.Tonight:Frequent, often heavy showers of rain, sleet and snow will affect most parts this evening and overnight, but are likely to be most frequent across the northeast. Minimum temperature -1 °C.
