- Faoi SDLP
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Smaointe
- 1.A United Ireland
- 2.Acht na Gaeilge
- 3.Agriculture/Rural Communities
- 4.Education
- 5.Eleven Plus
- 6.Environment & Climate Change
- 7.Equality & Human Rights
- 8.Fighting Poverty
- Ionadaithe
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Fri 12th March
She said: “This issue goes right to the heart of the case. It was not just a matter of how Robert Hamill was kicked to death by a sectarian mob within sight of up to four RUC officers. The real scandal happened in the hours, days and months after, when the police failed utterly to investigate the murder. It continued over the years when the PPS failed for reasons unknown to put a proper case together against Atkinson, even when details of his alleged contact with a suspect and alleged advice on disposal of evidence had become public knowledge.
“This recommendation is itself a vindication of the strong stance of the Hamill family, but it is also a very sharp criticism of the PPS, coming on top of a string of other poor decisions. One of the first issues on the incoming Justice Ministers’ desk must be the lack of accountability of the PPS and the damage this is doing to public confidence in the whole justice system.”
Former Agriculture Minister Brid Rodgers, who worked closely with the family in the aftermath of the murder, said she is very pleased for the family. “The Hamill’s were put through hell by the various authorities and it was very clear that the case was being dealt with politically from top to bottom of the system. There was no mechanism for holding the RUC accountable or making them do their job properly, and the utterly inexplicable failure to prosecute just exposed the rottenness. This may be just a one-line recommendation 13 years after the event, but it is a good day for justice.”
ENDS
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