Police Lacked Time to Intervene in INLA Shots, Watchdog Finds

The Police Ombudsman has concluded that law enforcement “did not have enough time” to prevent republican paramilitaries from discharging firearms into the air in Londonderry approximately three years prior. Marie Anderson initiated an inquiry following criticism directed at the police for their failure to intervene when masked individuals discharged weapons during an Irish National Liberation Army (INLA) commemoration held in the Galliagh area of the city in August 2021. According to the Police Ombudsman’s report, although police had “planned appropriately” for the occasion, “it was too late to mount an operation to intervene.” In his statement, PSNI deputy chief constable Bobby Singleton indicated that the force acknowledged the report’s conclusions and accepted its recommendations. Previously, certain unionist politicians had voiced criticism of the police for their lack of intervention after masked individuals discharged firearms close to a mural depicting INLA hunger striker Michael Devine. The police, at that juncture, defended their handling of the event, asserting that “a significant police operation” had been established. Police Ombudsman Marie Anderson was assigned the responsibility of scrutinizing the PSNI’s planning and reaction to the occurrence. Following the investigation’s completion, Hugh Hume, the office’s chief executive, stated that it was evident police “had used all information available to them while planning for the event.” He further commented, “Unfortunately, that information was somewhat limited, and it was unclear exactly what would happen, what format it would take, and whether firearms would feature.” “By the time it became apparent that firearms were likely to be used, police did not have enough time to task appropriately trained officers to intervene.” “Once shots had been fired…, the police commander at the scene determined that any attempt to send additional officers into an area where a commemoration was taking place and where possible gunshots had been fired was likely to put officers at risk and create a threat to the lives of members of the public.” “Instead, he ordered additional steps to assist in gathering evidence about the event. A search of the scene was also later carried out, but no bullet casings were recovered.” While the Police Ombudsman’s investigation did not uncover evidence of police misconduct, it did lead to several policy recommendations being presented to the PSNI. Detective Chief Constable Bobby Singleton remarked that operations of this nature are “amongst the most complex and dynamic” challenges faced by the police. Mr Singleton stated, “They often place our commanders in circumstances where they have to make significant decisions on the safety of the public and our officers with much less information than they would like.” “The ombudsman’s recommendations are useful organisational learning points which we have already incorporated into the planning and operational response to such events helping us prevent any recurrence.” “We remain committed to learning, listening and continuously improving our organisational response and in that spirit will further reflect upon the findings of the ombudsman’s full investigation to identify if there are any other opportunities to share feedback and good practice.”