Statutory Report

Allegation 10: Vehicle Checkpoints (VCPs) established by police shortly after
the attack at Loughinisland were strategically placed to allow those
responsible for the murders access to and from the Heights Bar.
Security Forces responded promptly to the initial report of the Heights Bar attack,
establishing VCPs in accordance with an established operational contingency plan.
Both RUC and military units were involved, the latter self deploying to VCPs and
patrols. Having considered the timings, potential routes and distances involved, I
believe it entirely plausible that those responsible for the murders could have
travelled beyond the position of VCPs by the time they were established.
Allegation 11: Police delayed tasking deployment of a military helicopter to
search for those responsible for the Loughinisland attack and the vehicle they
used to flee the murder scene and once deployed the helicopter only
remained in the area for one hour and eighteen minutes.
My investigation has not examined the conduct of any parties other than members
of the RUC and PSNI. I have, however, established that a helicopter was requested,
tasked and deployed by the military, who on the night of the Loughinisland murders
had access to police communications which was not unusual. Whilst there is no
existing record of the flight plan undertaken by the military helicopter my enquiries
have not identified any anomalies or irregularities in the timings of either the
deployment or flying time of the helicopter involved.
Allegation 12: Police failed to properly investigate an anonymous letter that
was forwarded to a local councillor concerning the Loughinisland murders
and failed to make a timely arrest of the alleged author of the letter following
their identification.
I am satisfied that police involved in the Loughinisland investigation failed to exploit
the evidential opportunities presented by the anonymous information they received
and as a result may well have lost another significant opportunity to bring those
responsible for the attack before the courts.
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