McCartney murder: 'Evidence to Ombudsman can be used in trial'
Crucial eye-witness statements to Northern Ireland Police Ombudsman Nuala O’Loan’s investigators can be used in the trial of any men charged with the murder of father-of-two Robert McCartney, she revealed today.
As her office waited for the names of seven Sinn Féin members suspended after their names were included on a list given to Sinn Féin by Robert McCartney's family, Mrs O’Loan claimed her involvement could strengthen trust in the police service.
The watchdog said she had offered to get involved in an attempt to end the wall of silence which is frustrating detectives’ attempts to hunt down the gang who battered and knifed to death Mr McCartney, 33, outside a Belfast pub.
With IRA men suspected of a murder that has helped plunge Sinn Féin into an unprecedented crisis, Mrs O’Loan said: “This is a community in crisis. This matter is being discussed in Washington, London, Dublin and in Belfast constantly.
"The whole thing seems to have ground to a stop because there is such intimidation of witnesses. We want to help people to engage with the system.”
Even though 70 people were in the city centre bar on January 30 when a brawl broke out that later led to Mr McCartney’s death, no one has been prepared to make a statement to police.
Continued distrust among republican ranks in the force, coupled with a fear of reprisals, has hampered the inquiry.
Sinn Féin leaders were criticised for suggesting any witnesses should contact lawyers or the clergy, rather than detectives involved in the probe.
Mrs O’Loan said: “We can offer something which priests and solicitors, who are the other people who have been suggested to take this evidence, can’t offer.
“That is that our investigators are trained to take statements which will be evidentially admissible.”
Mrs O’Loan, who claimed confidence levels in her office of up to 85% made her the proper conduit, said that once any statements had been handed over to police her role would end.
But that involvement could be critical in developing the confidence in the Police Service of Northern Ireland among all sections, she claimed.
“Parts of our community are engaged in police for the first time,” she said.
“That can be something that trust builds and trust clearly is building in police in Northern Ireland. We are just putting a small offer that we will take statements, nothing more.”
Her disclosure followed Sinn Féin President Gerry Adams’ announcement that seven party members had been suspended.
Mr Adams had asked the McCartney family for the names of those they suspect were involved in the killing.
Once the Sinn Féin members’ names were relayed to him, immediate action was taken, he said.
Their identities have yet to be passed on to Mrs O’Loan’s office.
Speaking on RTE Radio, she added: “Everybody knows at the end of the day there will be witnesses. All we are doing (is) offering assistance to people who want to engage in the criminal justice system.”
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