Police officers investigating the murder of Portadown Catholic Robert Hamill in 1997 were afraid to mount a surveillance operation on a police colleague suspected of helping a suspect, the inquiry into the murder heard today.
The allegation was made by David Wood, former-executive director of investigations for the Police Ombudsman, who was called in to carry out a review of the murder investigation.
Chief Superintendent Maynard McBurney was taken off the Robert Hamill case following accusations by the Police Ombudsman’s Office that the RUC resisted installing surveillance equipment at the home of an officer believed to be protecting one of the suspects.
Reserve Constable Robert Atkinson later faced conspiracy charges linked to the death of Mr Hamill, 25, who was kicked to death by loyalists in Portadown in April 1997, but the case never went to trial.
Mr McBurney, who died three months ago, was in charge of the inquiry in 2000 but was replaced following Mr Wood's arrival.
Mr Wood, who left the Ombudsman’s office in 2006, said there was inadequate preparation for covert methods and police feared how that would be interpreted by the Protestant community of which they were a part.
“The RUC were resisting the prospect of intrusive surveillance. I saw it at the time culturally. I think it was about the stomach to do this to their own," he said.
“There was also, I think, some security issues among some senior officers... they live in the community, Atkinson was seen as part of that community and perhaps part of the loyalist or the unionist side in that community and they were fearful how that would be interpreted in the community.”
Sir Edwin Jowitt is chairing an independent Inquiry Panel which is investigating whether any wrongful act of omission by the RUC facilitated Mr Hamill’s death and whether the investigation was carried out with due diligence.
Mr Wood claimed police dismissed his efforts to use covert surveillance as “using a hammer to crack a walnut”.
“They had no wider strategy, they were not coming forward and saying ‘This is what we are doing’.”
“They had not done their basic work so their strategy was flawed to me.”
Charles Adair QC, who represents serving and retired officers, accused Mr Wood of rushing matters.
“You blew it, Mr Wood, you were totally wrong. Mr Atkinson and the others realised within a matter of hours that their house was being bugged because of the botched way that you suggested this operation be done,” he added.
Mr Wood responded: “Where there was evidence and strong information available that there was perversion of the course of justice, I feel that there should have been action taken.”
Barra McGrory QC, counsel for the Hamill family, said: “However genuine and however dedicated these senior officers within the RUC who were working on this case were... they were hindered and held back in the deployment of these methods that you felt were the appropriate methods because of your concerns for the effect that would have within the police force.”
PA