Northern Ireland

PSNI say unable to confirm what Michael McElhatton white powder is for 'legal reasons'

Greenvale Hotel owner Michael McElhatton
Greenvale Hotel owner Michael McElhatton Greenvale Hotel owner Michael McElhatton

THE PSNI has said it cannot confirm "for legal reasons" what a white powder found in the home of Greenvale Hotel owner Michael McElahatton actually is.

In a statement last night, a spokesman again confirmed “the substance was not drugs”.

However, police have refused to say exactly what was contained in a plastic bag seized from the hotel owner’s Moneymore home.

The PSNI has also refused to return the white powder, believed to be a cleaning agent.

It is understood that while being held in custody, Mr McElhatton was not questioned about the substance nor was it presented to him.

The powder was removed during a search of his home days after three teenagers died in a crush outside his popular Cookstown hotel.

Morgan Barnard (17), Lauren Bullock (17) and Connor Currie (16) all died as they queued to gain entry to a disco at the venue on St Patrick’s night.

Mr McElhatton was arrested and questioned on suspicion of manslaughter before being released on police bail.

While in custody police revealed he had been further arrested on suspicion of possession of Class A drugs with intent to supply.

However, just two hours later police said Mr McElhatton had been "de-arrested" after fast-track forensic analysis of a "suspicious package consisting of a white powder substance and tin foil" had ruled out the possibility of dugs.

Assistant Chief Constable Mark Hamilton later issued a statement defending the PSNI's actions, saying they were taken "in good faith and in line with procedure".

Mr McElhatton insisted he has "nothing whatsoever to do with drugs" and accused police of “blackening" his name.

A spokesman for the PSNI last night said: “Further to ACC Hamilton’s statement on March 20 we can confirm the substance was not drugs.

“We are unable to confirm what the substance is for legal reasons.”

The Police Ombudsman last night confirmed it has received no complaints in relation to the powder find.

It is understood that no other legal action has been launched in relation to the matter.

However, the ombudsman is investigating after it emerged that the first PSNI officers to go to the hotel on St Patrick's night initially withdrew to await support.

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