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Mother makes complaint to Police Ombudsman over son's death probe

Sean Paul Carnahan's mother Tracy has made a complaint to the Police Ombudsman over delays in investigating her son's death
Sean Paul Carnahan's mother Tracy has made a complaint to the Police Ombudsman over delays in investigating her son's death Sean Paul Carnahan's mother Tracy has made a complaint to the Police Ombudsman over delays in investigating her son's death

THE mother of a man who died while being treated in a Belfast hospital has made a complaint to the Police Ombudsman over PSNI delays in deciding if anyone should face charges.

West Belfast man Sean Paul Carnahan died in July 2013 at Belfast City Hospital after being treated for four months for a brain injury he suffered after attempting to take his own life.

Mr Carnahan had earlier taken drugs known as legal highs.

After his death his family made a "statement of complaint" to police alleging "negligence" on the part of the hospital.

The complain to the ombudsman comes as around 3,000 people have signed a petition for "truth and justice for the Carnahan family."

In the past his mother Tracy Carnahan has voiced frustration over delays by the PSNI in deciding if criminal charges should be brought.

The grieving mother has now made a complaint to the Police Ombudsman and she accused the PSNI of "trying to stall" making a decision.

"I think they have had long enough to make a decision and they have put it off and put it off," she said.

Ms Carnahan claimed that since making her complaint the PSNI have not carried out any interviews.

"I think they are scared to bring this case out because it is so serious," she said.

They can’t keep putting it off, they have to come to some sort of a decision, it’s not fair on me or my other kids.

"Sean Paul is dead nearly three years and we have not got any further and we can’t even grieve for him."

The family’s solicitor Aiden Carlin said: "There are ample cases in England and Wales where doctors and nurses have been prosecuted for corporate manslaughter and gross negligence and there’s a duty on the police to thoroughly investigate the complaint that the family has made."

A spokesman for the Police Ombudsman confirmed they are investigating the case.

A spokesman for the PSNI said "it would be inappropriate to comment other than to say that the police investigation into the death of Sean Paul Carnahan is continuing."