Northern Ireland

Police Ombudsman will investigate Finucane matters 'when resources allow'

Belfast solicitor Pat Finucane
Belfast solicitor Pat Finucane Belfast solicitor Pat Finucane

THE Police Ombudsman's Office has said it will investigate matters linked to the Pat Finucane case when resources allow.

In a statement last night the watchdog, which is headed by Marie Anderson, said that "at this stage events connected to the murder of Pat Finucane are not central to any of our ongoing investigations".

A total of 13 "matters" arising from the de Silva review were referred to the office by the PSNI in 2016.

It is understood there are currently 11 matters referred to the ombudsman which have not been examined due to resource issues.

The statement said several matters referred to the ombudsman had been added to ongoing investigations.

It is understood two of the issues raised have been dealt with by Operation Achile, an ombudsman investigation relating to the murders of five Catholic men by the UDA at Sean Graham’s Bookmakers on Belfast's Ormeau Road in 1992.

"Our investigation of those matters is now complete and our findings will be published as part of the report on the broader investigation" the statement said.

It is understood that four other matters have been incorporated into a separate investigation linked to complaints about police conduct and the UDA.

The ombudsman said the remaining issues, believed to number seven, "were not immediately relevant to existing investigations and will be progressed as standalone cases".

"Those matters which have not progressed to investigation at this stage will be advanced when resources allow," it said.