The Police Ombudsman has concluded there was no collusion by police in the 1978 La Mon bombing, despite earlier concerns about informants’ involvement.
Twelve people lost their lives when the Provisional IRA set off a bomb at the hotel. It was a tragic event that left many injured and families shattered. The Ombudsman looked into whether police informants had a hand in it, but they found no signs of collusion.
Paul Holmes, the senior director of investigations, said they didn’t uncover any evidence that would suggest police misconduct. He pointed out that the Royal Ulster Constabulary (RUC) did try hard to catch those responsible for the bombing.
However, he did mention that the investigation wasn’t perfect. Some records went missing, and there were issues with interviewing a suspect arrested in 1991. It seems like the investigation had its ups and downs, but overall, they didn’t find any collusion.
Holmes also noted that the Provisional IRA was clearly responsible for the bombing. The report, released recently, looked into how well the RUC handled the case, including the trials of two men connected to the bombing.
One was convicted of manslaughter, while the other was acquitted due to concerns about how police treated him while in custody. The judge even hinted that the police might have violated the rule of law.
The PSNI acknowledged the pain felt by the families affected by the bombing. They expressed their sympathies and recognized the challenges faced by police back then. Despite some failings, they emphasized that the investigation was well-resourced and managed.
It’s a complex situation, and while the Ombudsman’s report clears the police of collusion, it also highlights the need for better record-keeping in such serious cases. The families affected by this tragedy still carry the weight of their loss, and it’s clear that the scars from that night run deep.