The Police Ombudsman for Northern Ireland has confirmed that she aims to conclude 95 Troubles-related cases in the next year.
The Police Ombudsman for Northern Ireland has confirmed that she aims to conclude 95 Troubles-related cases in the next year.
The confirmation follows the introduction of new transitional arrangements under the Northern Ireland Troubles (Legacy and Reconciliation) Act 2023, which, while ending the Ombudsman’s remit for undertaking historical investigations, will allow for the completion of reports and related administrative tasks in cases where investigations have concluded.
“These transitional arrangements go further than originally anticipated and mean that I will be able to communicate my findings in a greater number of cases than first envisaged,” said Mrs Anderson.
“Although this is positive news for some, I am acutely aware that as my remit for historical investigations closes, regrettably my ability to provide answers to other families and victims also ends.
“I have been open about the challenges which have faced legacy investigations, as have my predecessors, who have repeatedly spoken of significant periods of underfunding and limited resources to conduct and conclude these complex investigations, which date back decades.
“I am writing personally to those families whose investigations will not now be progressed by my Office, expressing regret and I know they will be deeply disappointed and distressed’’.
Police Ombudsmen legacy reports have spanned more than two decades, from the first reports by former Ombudsman Baroness Nuala O’Loan to those during the tenure of Mrs Anderson, which have included RUC conduct relating to loyalist paramilitary murders in South Belfast and the North West.
“The investigations conducted by this Office are intertwined with the history of the Northern Ireland Troubles and some of its worst atrocities.
“Undertaking investigations from this era means working in a contested environment, and navigating through that space has required adherence to impartiality, independence and evidence-based findings”.
Considering the future focus of the Police Ombudsman’s Office, Mrs Anderson said:
“We will be transitioning to an oversight body that focuses not only on the conduct of police officers in a contemporary setting, but also on demonstrating the impact of our work on policing policy and practice.”
The Police Ombudsman’s caseload for historical matters numbers 442 complaints and referrals.
95 cases, where investigations have completed, will be brought to a conclusion and findings communicated under the transitional arrangements by 30 April 2025.
281 cases which had been pended (that is, where investigations had not yet begun) will not now proceed to investigation.
A further 54 cases, where investigations had begun will not now be completed.
A further 12 cases that fall within the timeframe of the Troubles but which are not Troubles-related matters as defined by the Northern Ireland Troubles (Legacy and Reconciliation) Act 2023, remain as part of the Police Ombudsman’s caseload.