A solicitor acting on behalf of the family of Caron Smyth, murdered by a violent ex boyfriend, have said they will now seek an inquest into her killing, following a damning Police Ombudsman's report into the handling of case.
Ms Smyth and her friend Finbar McGrillen were discovered battered to death in the living room of an apartment in the Ravenhill Court area of south Belfast on December 13, 2013.
Sean Hegarty, who had a history of domestic violence and more than 70 previous convictions, was released on police bail to an address with no electricity supply to operate his electronic tag, three days before he killed the two friends in a savage attack.
The Ombudsman found a police custody sergeant had no authority to release Hegarty on bail and was advised against this by a 'gateway' officer who said he should be remanded.
In 2015 Hegarty was sentenced to serve a minimum of 18-years in prison for the double murder. His co accused, 35-year-old homeless man Ciaran Nugent, was sentenced to serve 14-years.
Dr Michael Maguire said this week that had a more appropriate course of action been taken, "it may have reduced the likelihood of what was to happen".
Ms Smith had told police just days before the attack that she believed Hegarty was going to kill her.
A week before the double murder, police had goneto Ms Smyth's address to carry out a bail check on Hegarty but left when there was no answer at the door. She later reported that he was inside, holding her against her will.
On December 8, Ms Smyth - from Drumaness in Co Down - contacted police to say Hegarty had locked her in the house for two days and assaulted her with a metal bar. She told officers that she was frightened he was going to kill her.
Police arrested Hegarty for assault and breach of bail but following a no comment interview he was released to an address at Grainne House in the New Lodge area, even though only a judge can authorise a change of court bail address.
Employees of G4S, who instal court ordered tags, called to the New Lodge flat within hours of his release to fit an electronic monitoring device and discovered the address had no working electricity supply.
They contacted the PSNI but no action was taken to apprehend Hegarty.
Solicitor John Keown who represents Ms Smyth's family said they would now be pursuing a civil action against the Chief Constable, adding that they would also now be asking for an inquest into her death.
"Despite this report there are still unanswered questions and an inquest could establish the answers to those questions", he said.
"There wasn't just one missed opportunity there were a catalogue of failures in how the PSNI dealt with Sean Hegarty in the days prior to Caron's murder", Mr Keown added.
