PSNI delays adding to our trauma, say Greenvale families
THE father of one of the Greenvale Hotel tragedy victims has said his family has been “retraumatised” after it emerged that police reports linked to the case have not yet been sent to the Public Prosecution Service (PPS).
James Bradley’s son Morgan Barnard (17) was one of three teenagers who died in a crush outside the Cookstown hotel on St Patrick’s night last year.
Lauren Bullock (17) and 16-year-old Connor Currie also lost their lives.
In the wake of the deaths the hotel’s owner Michael McElhatton and another man were arrested on suspicion of manslaughter, however they were later released on bail.
Mr McElhatton was questioned a second time before being released pending a report to the PPS. Seven others were also interviewed by police and files prepared for the PPS.
The Police Ombudsman is also investigating the actions of police on the night.
James Bradley told The Irish
News the delays are “totally devastating” and “retraumatising” for his family.
“Almost a year on and there has been virtually no progress,” he said.
“How can anybody have faith in the justice system when that same system failed to take steps to prevent the tragedy in the first instance and now continues to fail by taking little or no steps to ensure accountability for the events of that night.”
Solicitor Darragh Mackin, who is representing the parents of the three teenagers, has written to Justice Minister Naomi Long to highlight his clients’ concerns.
“There have been a number of revelations which have given our client grave concern as to the effectiveness of the justice system,” he wrote.
“In addition, there is no estimated time frame as to the conclusion of the Police Ombudsman investigation, a decision on whether or not to prosecute Mr McElhatton or the conveying of an inquest.”
Of the seven officers being investigated by the Ombudsman, five are being investigated for misconduct in public office, while two others are being investigated for potential disciplinary matters.
It emerged following the tragedy that four officers withdrew from the scene and did not intervene for 16 minutes.
The PSNI said the investigation continued and all evidence will be reported to the PPS in due course and it would be inappropriate to comment further.
The Greenvale Hotel is to close on the first anniversary of the deaths.