Greenvale Hotel crush tragedy: Five PSNI officers interviewed over potential misconduct

The office of the police ombudsman says it has now interviewed five officers over potential misconduct concerning the Greenvale Hotel crush tragedy.
By Adam Kula
Published 3rd Mar 2020, 19:32 BST
Updated 3rd Mar 2020, 21:16 BST
A forensics officer at the scene of the tragedy in March last yearA forensics officer at the scene of the tragedy in March last year
A forensics officer at the scene of the tragedy in March last year

It has also watched footage from body cameras worn by police officers who responded to the scene in Cookstown, examined data from phone calls made to police that evening, and is currently looking at police radio traffic relating to the incident, which cost the lives of three teenagers on March 17, 2019.

The office made the announcement after meeting today with the families of fatal victims Lauren Bullock and Morgan Barnard (both 17) and Connor Currie (16), who had been among hundreds of young people queueing for a St Patrick’s night event at the hotel.

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Police Ombudsman Marie Anderson said a total of seven police officers have been interviewed by her investigators – five in relation to the potential criminal offence of misconduct in public office, and two about possible breaches of police procedures.

Flowers left at the scene of the Greenvale tragedyFlowers left at the scene of the Greenvale tragedy
Flowers left at the scene of the Greenvale tragedy

She said: “My investigators have briefed the families of Lauren, Morgan and Connor on the broad range of inquiries that have been conducted through this complex investigation, which arose from a referral by the chief constable in relation to the police response to the incident.

“My investigation is examining not only the manner of the police response to emergency calls but also the broader context in which these deaths occurred.”

Mrs Anderson said her investigators had progressed “a substantial number of inquiries”.

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Her investigators “raised a number of policing practice matters with the PSNI to assist in preventing further such tragedies”. After her inquiries are finished, she will report to the Coroner’s Office.