Greens back ombudsmen law

The Green Party has backed calls for a new law to allow the Police Ombudsman of Northern Ireland Nuala O’Loan to swap and share information with the Garda Ombudsman’s Office.

With Mrs O’Loan seeking closer links between the two offices, the Greens insisted the community needed to know there was no hiding place for misconduct within either force.

Ciaran Cuffe, Green Party justice spokesman, said handing over police files to solve crimes either side of the border would bring about a final crackdown on corruption.

“Co-operation is particularly important in fighting crime in the border areas and Minister McDowell should act on Nuala O’Loan’s suggestion,” Mr Cuffe said.

Ms O’Loan told delegates at a conference on community safety in Dundalk investigators should have total and immediate access to all police files. She insisted there should be no need to inform a minister, as the Garda Bill currently demands.

It is understood Mrs O’Loan is keen for increased cooperation between the two forces in light of a number of complaints received about garda conduct.

Following recent developments in the investigations into the murder of Seamus Ludlow 1976 and the Dublin and Monaghan bombings in 1974, the Ombudsman’s office has received allegations of misconduct.

Mr Ludlow’s family are campaigning for a public inquiry into his death amid allegations that police tried to cover-up that he had been killed by loyalist paramilitaries.

The three-person Garda Ombudsman Office has yet to formally begin working, but it is hoped the office will be up and running in the new year.

The conference also heard criticisms of the gardai and the judiciary in dealing with anti-social behaviour and public order offences.

Green Party councillor Mark Dearey, who helped organise the conference added: “The importance of trust between the community and its police force is essential and without rigorous investigative powers into complaints that trust can never be assured.

“In relation to crime issues around the border the community needs to know there is no hiding place for misconduct within either force.”