Northern Ireland

Sinn Féin call for Ombudsman to release delayed reports

The scene of the shooting at Sean Graham's bookmakers on the Ormeau Road in 1992. Picture by Pacemaker
The scene of the shooting at Sean Graham's bookmakers on the Ormeau Road in 1992. Picture by Pacemaker The scene of the shooting at Sean Graham's bookmakers on the Ormeau Road in 1992. Picture by Pacemaker

SIMMm Féin deputy leader Michelle O'Neill has called on the Police Ombudsman to release legacy reports to give grieving families access to information.

Ms O’Neill led a party delegation along with Policing Board member Gerry Kelly, to a meeting with ombudsman Marie Anderson yesterday.

The Sinn Féin team called for the "prompt publication" of ombudsman historic investigation reports, some of which have been delayed for several years.

They also stressed the need for the investigation into the arrest of Mark Sykes, a victim of the 1992 Sean Graham Bookmakers attack on the Ormeau Road, at a memorial event marking the anniversary of the atrocity earlier this month.

Ms O'Neill said: "We met with the Police Ombudsman to discuss a number of areas of concern, particularly the investigation of events on the Ormeau Road on February 5.

"We discussed the investigation into the Ormeau Road massacre and the repeated call from the families of those killed and injured for the release of the Ombudsman's report.

“These families, like all bereaved in the conflict, are entitled to know the truth about the deaths of their loved ones and should not have to wait any longer.

"There are many historical investigation reports which have not yet been published and we reiterated the need for a timeline for their publication so more families can have access to information".

Ms O'Neill said the party also raised the British government’s referral of the Pat Finucane case to the ombudsman for review.

Saying it was "no more than a cynical attempt to deny the family the full public inquiry that is required".

"It is vital the Police Ombudsman's office receives adequate funding to allow it to carry out its important work and this was also raised at today's meeting", she added.