Murder probe report to call for review
The North's Police Ombudsman’s Office will tomorrow release what is said to be a “damning” report into the Royal Ulster Constabulary investigation of a murder by loyalist paramilitaries six years ago.
Sean Brown, 61, was shot dead by the Loyalist Volunteer Force after being abducted outside a GAA club in Bellaghy, Co Tyrone.
No-one was ever charged with the crime – one of more than 1,800 unsolved killings during the North's disturbances.
Police Ombudsman Nuala O’Loan was asked to examine the case by the Brown family nearly three years ago.
The report by Ms O’Loan’s investigators was understood to concentrate on the RUC inquiry into the murder, which happened in May, 1997.
According to sources, the contents of the document were “damning” and it was expected to recommend that the Brown murder be the subject of an independent review.
Mr Brown’s body was found with six gunshot wounds in a burned-out car left in a field, after be had been abducted as he locked the gates at his local GAA club in Bellaghy.
The Police Ombudsman’s report will be handed over to the Brown family just hours ahead of a news conference in Belfast tomorrow.
A copy of the document has already been submitted to the office Police Service of Northern Ireland Chief Constable Hugh Orde.
