Ombudsman criticises RUC inquiry into McConville case
The North's Police Ombudsman has concluded that there was never an effective investigation into the disappearance and murder of Belfast woman Jean McConville.
The widowed mother of 10 was abducted and killed by the IRA in 1972 for allegedly passing information about republicans to the British authorities.
Her body was buried in a secret location and was only discovered near a beach in Co Louth three years ago.
The Police Ombudsman has now upheld a complaint by the McConville family that the RUC failed to conduct a proper investigation into the case.
The Ombudsman's report says there was never any formal police record of Ms McConville's disappearance, nor any attempt to find here.
It also says the British Army gave the police information claiming that her abduction was an elaborate hoax and that she had left home freely and was known to be safe.
