Arlene’s sister slams gardai over evidence delay
THE sister of murdered schoolgirl Arlene Arkinson has launched a stinging attack on the Irish police, accusing it of obstructing the inquest.
Making a direct appeal for Garda Commissioner Noirin O’Sullivan to hand over potentially key information, Kathleen Arkinson hit out at the perceived procrastination and delay preventing the case’s conclusion.
Ms Arkinson said: “The justice system has failed us in every way. We have done everything we can and we are still here a year-and- a-half later for an inquest for one child who was 15 years old.
“I would appeal to Noirin O’Sullivan to please look into this as soon as possible because it is dragging our lives away. We can’t go on like this for ever.”
The inquest, which opened in February 2016, has been stalled for months to facilitate the sharing of information from authorities in the Republic.
The material includes papers on the lines of inquiry pursued by gardai, searches carried out south of the border and a purported meeting between gardai and the former girlfriend of Robert Howard, the prime suspect.
Garda officers may also be asked to give oral evidence.
During a preliminary hearing at Belfast’s Coroners Court Judge Brian Sherrard moved to allay any conspiracy theories.
He said: “The delay that has been caused is not because this court harbours any concerns about the family whatsoever.
“In terms of rumour or suspicion, I can put that to bed straight away.
“The delay in this case is purely because we are awaiting a comprehensive response from An Garda Siochana.”
Arlene, from Castlederg in Co Tyrone, vanished after a night out across the border in Co Donegal in August 1994.
The 15-year-old was last seen being driven down a country road by Howard, a convicted killer and paedophile with a lengthy criminal history who died in 2015.
Despite extensive searches, including a fresh dig in Tyrone just last year, her body has never been found.
Since the inquest opened, it has heard evidence from dozens of witnesses, including Howard’s former girlfriend, Patricia Quinn, and senior detectives who worked on the case.
The missing information from An Garda Siochana has been described as the last piece of the jigsaw, and the coroner mooted Halloween as a potential deadline for closing the inquest.
“After we get to that point, then the balance will be tilting towards decision rather than further delay,” explained Judge Sherrard.
The Arkinson family were in court for the brief hearing.
Their barrister, Henry Toner QC, expressed the family’s frustration and demanded an explanation for the 13-month delay in the inquest.
The case was adjourned for mention in September.