Gerard Lawlor household ‘disappointed’ by Ombudsman report
T
he household of a Catholic teenager killed by loyalist paramilitaries in 2002 have expressed disappointment within the findings of a Police Ombudsman report.
Gerard Lawlor’s father mentioned he feels let down that greater than 20 years on he’s nonetheless having to pursue accountability for his son’s homicide.
A report by Police Ombudsman Marie Anderson on Wednesday discovered vital failings within the Police Service of Northern Ireland investigation in 2002.
But she mentioned she discovered no proof of collusive behaviours and no proof that the homicide may have been prevented.
Mr Lawlor’s household keep their perception that there was collusive behaviour within the police investigation which has not helped secured prosecutions.
No-one has ever been charged with or prosecuted for the homicide of Mr Lawlor.
John Lawlor mentioned he was disenchanted by the report.
“I think the years have toned down the anger a bit,” he mentioned.
“I still believe in a just and open society, police have to be held to account.
“I think they had a golden opportunity this morning to address that and they didn’t do it.
“The core problem is still there, nobody is being held accountable.
“If you or I had done anything, we’d be crucified but there seems to be a part of this society that can walk about with impunity, and that’s the bit that is hard to swallow at times.
“We’re being let down, this should have been locked up years ago.”
Niall Murphy, solicitor for the Lawlor household, mentioned the Ombudsman’s report is a “detailed analysis of a pathetic police investigation”.
“The report correctly confirms a multitude of egregious failings,” he mentioned.
“Where we differ from the Ombudsman’s conclusive analysis, we consider the facts sustain ours, whereas her analysis is that collusive behaviours were not an impediment to the investigation.
“The family considered that the facts found, the failings found, the failure to arrest suspects, the failure to erect a vehicle checkpoint at the Whitewell Road/Antrim Road junction, that those facts actually sustain their sincerely held belief that collusive behaviour was an impediment to successful prosecutions in respect of those who murdered Gerard.”
An inquest into Mr Lawlor’s demise was delayed whereas the Ombudsman’s investigation was ongoing.
Mr Murphy mentioned he expects a preliminary listening to within the inquest can be held within the coming weeks or months.