Family of NI police shooting victim in report plea

A report into the killing in 2003 of an Antrim man by police in Northern Ireland should be published immediately, a lawyer for…

A report into the killing in 2003 of an Antrim man by police in Northern Ireland should be published immediately, a lawyer for the dead man's family said today.

Neil McConville (21) was shot dead by officers after he drove through a police checkpoint near Lisburn in April 2003, hitting two officers.

Northern Ireland Police Ombudsman Nuala O'Loan completed an investigation into the incident which she disclosed to police and relatives of the dead man but would not publish for legal reasons.

David Somers (22) is facing firearms charges after he was found in the car with Mr McConville allegedly in possession of a weapon.

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McConville's family solicitor Paddy Murray said: "The family have had a look at this report and are bound by confidentiality not to publish the findings. "The family want publication to happen right away regardless of the pending trials.

"They have waited a long time for the report, it is very frustrating and the family want to see this in the public domain."

He argued the Ombudsman should publish an amended version of the paper and said it could be up to a year before legal proceedings are concluded.

Police said they had opened fire after trying to stop the car which struck two officers on April 29th at Ballinderry Upper.

Mr Somers sustained gunshot injuries and one police officer was hurt on the back leg and arm.

Mr McConville died in the Lagan Valley Hospital in Lisburn. He was from Bleary in Craigavon. The family have said they are disillusioned and dissatisfied with the Ombudsman process.

Last year they handed a report on the matter to the Northern Ireland Policing Board.

A spokesman for the Ombudsman's office said: "I can understand the family's frustration but the Police Ombudsman considers that the report must be published in full and we are unable to do that until related legal proceedings have concluded.

"We have however given the family a confidential briefing on the outcome of the investigation and have communicated our findings and recommendations to the Chief Constable."

PA