Northern Ireland

Family of Greenvale crush victim to ask PSNI chief George Hamilton to apologise over comments

Conor Currie (16), Lauren Bullock(17) and Morgan Barnard (17) died after a crush at the Greenvale Hotel on St Patrick's night
Conor Currie (16), Lauren Bullock(17) and Morgan Barnard (17) died after a crush at the Greenvale Hotel on St Patrick's night Conor Currie (16), Lauren Bullock(17) and Morgan Barnard (17) died after a crush at the Greenvale Hotel on St Patrick's night

THE parents of a schoolboy who died at the Greenvale Hotel will call for PSNI chief constable George Hamilton to apologise for comments made after the tragedy when they meet him today.

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).

Morgan’s parents James Bradley and Maria Barnard have also called for an “independent investigation” into what happened that night.

The meeting was arranged after Mr Hamilton described police officers who arrived at the scene of the unfolding tragedy but withdrew before later returning as "brave”.

James Bradley said George Hamilton should apologise for his remarks 
James Bradley said George Hamilton should apologise for his remarks  James Bradley said George Hamilton should apologise for his remarks 

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.

Read more: 

  • Connor Currie's 'infectious smile warmed everyone's hearts', funeral told
  • Lauren Bullock 'was happiest when helping others' mourners told
  • Morgan Barnard was 'a humble young man who would always listen', his funeral is told

Their actions were referred to the Police Ombudsman by Mr Hamilton.

PSNI Chief Constable George Hamilton
PSNI Chief Constable George Hamilton PSNI Chief Constable George 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.