Police Ombudsman Marie Anderson has said a multi-agency approach is needed to investigate the deaths of three teenagers at the Greenvale Hotel if another tragedy is to be prevented.
Morgan Barnard (17), Lauren Bullock (17) and 16-year-old Connor Currie died as they queued to get into the Greenvale Hotel in Cookstown on St Patrick's night 2019.
Their untimely deaths sent shockwaves through the community and prompted separate PSNI and Police Ombudsman investigations.
In an unusual intervention, the Police Ombudsman has now called for a wider investigation into the circumstances of the tragedy.
The ombudsman believes a multi-agency approach is "required to investigate the range of health and safety issues raised by the case".
"In my view, a co-ordinated investigative approach is the best way of identifying everything that went wrong and identifying measures which could prevent similar circumstances in the future,” she said.
Ms Anderson last night confirmed that she has broadened her enquiry into the Greenvale Hotel deaths to include the policing of the ‘night time economy’ in Cookstown, and "in particular individual officers' conduct relating to enforcement of alcohol licensing conditions".
She confirmed that her office is unable to investigate some of the issues identified.
“Issues such as the anticipating and planning for the management of crowds at social venues and measures to deal with underage attendance and drinking at hospitality venues are not solely matters for the police, and are therefore not issues that my office alone can fully investigate,” she said.
The ombudsman said her office is currently investigating the actions of a number of police officers involved in the initial response to the incident and who had a role to play in the night time economy in Cookstown.
“Police play a critical role in ensuring the safety of people while they are out socialising," she said.
"I am aware that there are a number of agencies with responsibility for addressing issues relating to health and safety and the ‘night time economy’.”
Ms Anderson confirmed her investigation is ongoing.
“It is a complex and broad-ranging case, but we are making steady progress and will continue to advance our enquiries and keep the families updated as we do so,” she said.
“I think it is important for the memory of Connor, Lauren and Morgan that we learn as many lessons as we can from their tragic and untimely loss.”
Morgan Barnard's father James Bradley last night welcomed the Police Ombudsman's statement.
"It's very encouraging that the ombudsman sees the seriousness of this," he said.
"Along with truth and accountability I have often spoken about prevention.
"And in welcoming this statement I also would say it's a matter of great urgency."
Mr Bradley said his family has been asking for a full investigation.
"In looking for truth accountability and prevention our family, along with our solicitor Darragh Mackin, have been looking for a full blown investigation into what happened that night," he said.
His solicitor Darragh Mackin, of Phoenix Law, also welcomed the Police Ombudsman's statement.
"It is a stark reality that until such times as there is a thematic investigation, lessons will not be learned, and young people continue to remain at risk," he said.
" The authorities should now take note of this intervention and ensure the necessary steps are taken."
After the tragedy it emerged that three PSNI officers had attended the scene before withdrawing.
A spokeswoman for the Public Prosecution Service (PPS) last night said: "Eleven individuals have been reported by police as potential suspects."
A spokesman for the Police Ombudsman said it has "submitted an interim file to the PPS in relation to five officers".
