Police Ombudsman

Police Ombudsman Dr Michael Maguire: “independence is a fragile thing … you take it for granted at your peril” #ImagineBelfast

Alan Meban (Alan in Belfast) on March 29, 2019, 2:17 pm

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In his last public lecture as his seven-year term as Police Ombudsman draws to a close, Dr Michael Maguire reflected on what independence means for his office, and lessons that can be learned. “You cannot take independence for granted. It can be undermined in a number of different ways. Whoever holds the post of police ombudsman must keep this in mind. Be aware some entirely innocent initiatives can have unintended consequences.”

Stakeknife is in the Police Ombudsman’s frame, but has he the tools to do the job?

Brian Walker on June 2, 2015, 11:39 am

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One of the casualties of the failure to implement the Stormont House Agreement is I presume, the extra £150 million due to have been allocated over five years for dealing with the past. Although I know of no details of how the funding was to be shared out, some of it would have been apportioned to the Police Ombudsman, an office whose reputation has been revived by the redoubtable Dr Michael Maguire. He issued a warning last year of the consequences of budget …

Dealing with the past is – past

Brian Walker on October 1, 2014, 11:52 pm

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People may not have woken up to the fact that inquiries into Troubles cases have ground to a halt. This is said to be as a result of the financial pressures on the PSNI as disclosed by the Belfast Telegraph. The Historical Enquiries team has been wound up, the historical role of the Police Ombudsman which was once progressed with determination by Michael Maguire has ground to a halt and the chief coroner continues to fulminate impotently about delays. So much for the Haas …

Now it’s the PSNI in the dock. Chaos over the past deepens as political deadlock over Haas agenda continues

Brian Walker on June 3, 2014, 7:39 pm

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At last the clash has come between accountability and transparency and “national security” over dealing with the past. After the unhappy period of Al Hutchinson we have a Police Ombudsman in the assertive tradition of Nuala O’Loan. Michael Maguire who was also Hutchinson’s successor as Police Oversight Commissioner probably knows where quite few bodies are buried (figuratively of course) and is an altogether steelier figure. NI’s chief constable is being taken to court over claims he obstructed Police Ombudsman investigations into …

“The OPONI senior management is at present dysfunctional, there is a serious lack of trust between many senior staff”

Alan Meban (Alan in Belfast) on September 5, 2011, 2:44 pm

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The BBC report that the Police Ombudsman Al Hutchinson is to quit his job before the end of his seven year contract. Mr Hutchinson was due to leave the position in just over three years time. “I acknowledge that personal attacks on me, criticisms, are becoming dysfunctional in their impact in the office and I have reflected on that and I have taken a decision,” he said. The details of this will be announced at a justice committee meeting on …

Serious issues of independence and effectiveness in the Police Ombudsman’s Office

John Ó Néill on August 17, 2011, 9:22 am

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Sinn Féin’s policing spokesman Gerry Kelly has added his voice to calls for the removal of Al Hutchinson as Police Ombudsman and restoration of independence and effectiveness in the office. Barry McCaffrey, over at The Detail, has seen the draft version of a Criminal Justice Inspectors report on the Office of the Police Ombudsman (OPONI) and it appears to make for damning reading. This follows swiftly on from the the Committee on the Administration of Justice (CAJ) publishing a report on Human Rights …

Ombudsman’s Report into McGurk’s Bar

Turgon on February 21, 2011, 9:20 pm

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The report into the McGurk’s bar bombing has finally come out. It did come out previously when Al Hutchinson published his report to a storm of protest from the families. Hutchinson then promptly withdrew the report though bizarrely denied it was embarrassing: “I wouldn’t say it’s an embarrassment, I take it as a learning opportunity – we must do better.” The new mark two report is now out (full report PDF here) and seems somewhat more to the families’ liking. …

“The Cardinal said that he knew that the priest was a very bad man…”

Pete Baker on August 24, 2010, 12:23 pm

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The Northern Ireland Police Ombudsman, Al Hutchison, has published the findings of his “investigation into how the Royal Ulster Constabulary (RUC) dealt with their suspicions that a Catholic priest was allegedly involved in the bombing of Claudy in County Londonderry on 31 July 1972, in which nine people were killed and more than 30 others were injured.” The full report is available here [pdf file]. BBC report here. From the Police Ombudsman’s statement The Police Ombudsman’s Office has confirmed that …

“I’ve decided not to formally publish the report until I’ve heard their concerns…”

Pete Baker on July 9, 2010, 3:42 pm

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According to the BBC report Police Ombudsman Al Hutchinson has withdrawn his report into the 1971 McGurk’s bar bomb. But the quotes in the BBC report from Al Hutchinson point to it being only a delay in publication. Mr Hutchinson said he was aware of the criticisim and had decided not to publish the report until he heard relatives’ concerns “in detail”. “I think it’s appropriate to acknowledge we didn’t deal with the families very well and I need to listen to …