PSNI chief constable George Hamilton has apologised to the parents of a schoolboy who died at the Greenvale Hotel in Cookstown, following comments he made after the tragedy.
Mr Hamilton met with Morgan Barnard’s parents James Bradley and Maria Barnard today. The meeting was called after the chief constable described police officers who arrived at the scene of the unfolding tragedy but withdrew before later returning as "brave”.
Morgan Barnard (17) was one of three teenagers who lost their lives after a crush outside the Cookstown venue on St Patrick’s night, along with 17-year-old Lauren Bullock and Conor Currie (16).
PSNI Chief Constable George Hamilton said: “This afternoon I met with James and Maria, the parents of Morgan Barnard, to offer my sincere condolences on the loss of their son who tragically died at the Greenvale Hotel in Cookstown on St Patrick’s Day.
“I expressed my deep regret if any comment that I have made in relation to the incident has caused the family any further distress.
"That was never my intention and I have apologised. No public commentary by me or any police officer will detract from the independent investigation being conducted into the initial PSNI response by the Police Ombudsman’s office.
“The investigation into the circumstances that led to the deaths of Morgan Barnard, Lauren Bullock and Connor Currie continues and we are very grateful to all the witnesses who have come forward with information.”
Morgan’s parents James Bradley and Maria Barnard have also called for an “independent investigation” into what happened that night.
Police have said they made attempts to establish more detail about what was happening and withdrew to await support, before moving in when the first ambulance arrived.
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Their actions were referred to the Police Ombudsman by Mr Hamilton.
Speaking to the media last month, the outgoing chief constable said: "I think they responded in good faith in very difficult circumstances.
“Large numbers of people, lots of uncertainty, perhaps some chaos. So I think those officers were brave and acted in good faith.
"But I do think when we objectively look at the time of arrival and withdrawal and the details of all of that, then there are some questions to answer."
Mr Bradley last night said the family "remain deeply upset by the comments", which they view as "inaccurate and misleading”.
“On the back of these comments we immediately engaged with our Policing Board representative in a request to meet with the chief constable directly to address the comments he made.”
Mr Bradley said Mr Hamilton should apologise.
“Not only do we seek a retraction of the comments, but it is also imperative that an independent investigation is conducted so as to ensure that the truth about the events at Cookstown is known to the public," he said.
“Lessons must be learned.
“We will be asking for an apology when we meet later today.”
The family’s solicitor, Darragh Mackin of Phoenix Law, also said Mr Hamilton’s remarks had added to the family’s hurt.
“Such comments are not only deeply regrettable, but also questionable in the circumstances in which there remains an ongoing police ombudsman’s investigation into their conduct on the night in question.”
The solicitor added that "our clients feel very strongly that such comments should be immediately retracted, and any judgment on such issues reserved until the full facts and truth about what happened at the Greenvale are known".
A spokesman for the Police Ombudsman said its investigation is ongoing.
