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17 May 2000
RUC and ICPC refuse to discipline the RUC personnel who threatened to kill Rosemary Nelson
Sinn Fein Upper Bann Assembly member Dr Dara O'Hagan has reacted angrily to the news that the RUC and the Commission for Police Complaints (ICPC) have refused to discipline the RUC personnel who threatened to kill Rosemary Nelson. Dr. O'Hagan said:
``the revelation that neither the RUC or the ICPC will discipline the RUC personnel who threatened to kill Rosemary Nelson is shocking and disappointing, but it also underlines the more fundamental failure of the mechanism supposed to hold members of the RUC accountable for their actions.
``Sworn statements from Rosemary Nelson and at least 5 independent witnesses given in 1997 and 1998 to both the ICPC and the outside investigation team, headed by Scotland Yard commander Mulvihill, identified and gave details about those RUC members who insulted and threatened Rosemary Nelson. At no time were they required to appear before a hearing or to give evidence under oath, despite this a decision not to pursue action against the identified RUC personnel on the grounds of insufficient evidence was made.
``The decisions not to discipline RUC personnel sends a very clear message to the force at large. It also highlights the official condoning of unaccountability and action with impunity that is so much part of the RUC psyche.
``These sad decisions are not totally unexpected. This tradition of officially sanctioned impunity in the abuse and targeting of nationalists and republicans and those who honourably defend the interests of their clients is a daily fact of life for many. Again, the need for a new beginning to policing is underlined.''
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