Eight loyalist attacks in the 1990s were investigated, including the murders at Sean Graham bookmakers
Evidence of “collusive behaviour” between police and loyalist paramilitary groups related to murders during the Troubles have been uncovered by a watchdog investigation.
Marie Anderson, the police ombudsman for Northern Ireland, said she was “deeply concerned” by the “significant failures” she had uncovered in her investigation into murders and attempted murders carried out by the Ulster Defence Association (UDA) in south Belfast in the 1990s.
Intelligence and surveillance failings, which led to loyalist paramilitaries obtaining military grade weaponry in a 1987 arms importation.
A failure to warn two men of threats to their lives.
A failure to retain records and the deliberate destruction of files relating to the attack at Sean Graham bookmakers.
The failure to maintain records about the deactivation of weapons, “indicating a desire to avoid accountability for these sensitive and contentious activities”.
The failure of police to exploit all evidential opportunities.
Failures by special branch to disseminate intelligence to murder investigation teams.
An absence of control and oversight in the recruitment and management of informants.
Unjustifiable and continued use by special branch of informants involved in serious criminality, including murder and “turning a blind eye” to such activities.
