Compensation for pub raid 'trauma'

Undercover police burst into Derryhirk Inn

A man and his wife who "feared they were going to be shot" when undercover police burst into a County Armagh pub four years ago, have been awarded nearly £40,000 in compensation.

A doorman at the premises, the Derryhirk Inn near Lurgan, was also awarded compensation.

Paul and Mary Fearnon, from Derryash Road, Aghalee, were having a meal in the pub in March 1997 when undercover police officers burst in.

The couple believed that a sectarian attack was about to take place and along with a doorman, Joseph Douglas, they sued the RUC which admitted liability.

Mr Fearon, 36, was awarded £22,000, while his wife, who is 38, received £17,500.

Mary Fearnon: Awarded £17,500

Mr Douglas, aged 38, from Beechgrove Avenue, Aghagallon, Lurgan, was awarded £12,500.

The judge, Mr Justice Coughlin, said all three claimed to have sustained a significant degree of post-traumatic psychiatric damage.

He said during the police operation an undercover officer entered the dining area in a very aggressive manner, carrying a gun with a light attached.

Paul Fearnon: Awarded £22,000

The officer picked out Mr Fearnon and began to question him while pointing the gun at him.

Mr Fearnon was arrested and held for six hours at Gough Holding Centre in Armagh, before being driven home.

Medication

Both Mr and Mrs Fearnon missed periods of work after the incident and Mr Fearnon and Mr Douglas both had to take medication.

The judge said RUC Chief Constable Sir Ronnie Flanagan had apologised individually to the plaintiffs which they felt reflected a high degree of integrity on his part.

In February, Gary McMahon, from Old Portadown Road in Lurgan, who was also in the pub at the time of the incident, was awarded undisclosed damages by the High Court in Belfast.

Over 80 compensation claims were lodged against the RUC after the raid, with Mr McMahon's case the first to be settled.

None of the police officers involved has been prosecuted, but there were disciplinary proceedings.

A few days after their operation the RUC announced they had found a number of guns in the area.