The Chief Constable of the RUC, Sir Hugh Annesley, was granted leave yesterday to seek a judicial review in the High Court in Belfast. The action concerns decisions by a coroner, Mr Ronnie O'Doherty, at the inquest on Mr Patrick Shanaghan (33), from Castlederg, Co Tyrone, who was murdered by the UFF five years ago.
The Chief Constable is seeking an order to quash two of Mr O'Doherty's rulings. The first concerns his decision to allow a forensic scientist give evidence when the inquest resumes at Strabane.
The second is his decision to admit evidence to the effect that while Mr Shanaghan was being questioned at Castlereagh holding centre his life was threatened by police interviewers, who said his name would be leaked to the UDA. The UDA has used the cover name UFF in carrying out murders.