RUC officer cleared over Armagh girl’s gun death

The North's Police Ombudsman has found no evidence to support claims that an off-duty RUC officer shot and killed a 16-year-old girl in Co Armagh 15 years ago.

The officer says Alice McLoughlin killed herself with his gun while he was giving her a lift home in Portadown in July 1991.

An inquest concluded that she had taken her own life, but her family refused to accept the verdict, claiming Mr Beattie or another person had killed the teenager.

In a report published today, Ombudsman Nuala O'Loan says she has found no evidence to support the allegation.

She did, however, criticise significant failings in the police investigation into the shooting.

The retired officer who led the inquiry refused to co-operation with Ms O'Loan.