Unsolved murders to be probed

Unsolved murders to be probed

PSNI chief constable's commitment to the murder review team welcomed

A group which represents rank and file officers in the PSNI has welcomed moves to investigate unsolved murders.

The Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) has been establishing a team of officers to review unsolved historic and recent major crimes including murders.

The Police Federation said in a statement that families and widows of murdered police officers were entitled to closure regarding the circumstances of their deaths.

It said that the passage of time did not diminish the police service's obligation to investigate.

It will be very useful for people for whom crimes are still open sores, and I think addressing that is important

David Trimble
Ulster Unionist leader

Police Federation assistant secretary Terry Spence said the murders of 211 officers over the last 35 years were still unsolved.

He said he believed the announcement on Friday was significant.

However, the father of a man shot dead by loyalists said he had little faith in a police review of unsolved murders

The murder of Terry Enright, who was shot dead by loyalist paramilitaries in 1998, remains unsolved.

His father, also called Terry, said he was not convinced the review would make a difference.

Ulster Unionist leader David Trimble welcomed the announcement.

"It will be very useful for people for whom crimes are still open sores, and I think addressing that is important.

"I think would be useful if the police would find a way of indicating to the public which cases are still open and which are closed," he said.

SDLP Policing Board member Alex Attwood said it was important that every unresolved murder was investigated to ensure that the rule of law was upheld.

The Royal Ulster Constabulary Widows' Association, the Parents' Association and the Disabled Police Officers' Association have also welcomed Chief Constable Hugh Orde's commitment to the murder review team.

The RUC changed its name to the PSNI in November 2001 as part of sweeping reforms to the service under the terms of the 1998 Good Friday Agreement peace accord.

Meanwhile, a graduation ceremony was held for 55 PSNI student officers in Belfast on Friday.

The 44 men and 11 women graduated at Garnerville Police College.

The number of students who have graduated as PSNI officers since April 2002 is now 520.