RUC men face perjury charges over murder conviction

Two RUC detectives are to charged with perjury following an independent investigation into a murder in Belfast 15 years ago.

Two RUC detectives are to charged with perjury following an independent investigation into a murder in Belfast 15 years ago.

The DPP will shortly be issuing instructions to prosecute the officers, a Detective Sergeant and a Detective Constable.

The charges relate to the case of Thomas Green (37), from Ballysillan, north Belfast, who spent 13 years in prison for a murder he claims he did not commit.

His solicitor, Mr Joe Rice, said he had been officially notified that the DPP would shortly be issuing instructions to charge the two detectives arising of interviews with Mr Green at Castlereagh and his subsequent trial.

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Mr Green, who was released in 1998 under the Belfast Agreement, has had his case referred back to the Court of Appeal by the Criminal Cases Review Commission - the miscarriage of justice watchdog. He was convicted in 1987 of murdering Catholic painter Mr John O'Neill, who was battered to death with concrete blocks after visiting a loyalist club.

His body was dumped in the Glen River behind the club in the Tyndale of north Belfast.

New medical evidence led to his case being re-opened and then the RUC called in Chief Supt. Mel Strachan, of the Strathclyde Police, to carry out an investigation.

It was following receipt of his report that the DPP decided to charge the two RUC detectives.

PA