Family agree new killing probe

Sean Brown's body was found in a burned out car

The family of murdered GAA official Sean Brown has reached agreement with the chief constable on how a new investigation should proceed.

It follows a critical report from the police ombudsman on the original RUC investigation into the 1997 killing.

The 61-year-old was shot dead by the Loyalist Volunteer Force after being abducted outside a Gaelic Athletic Association club in Bellaghy, County Londonderry.

In January, the office of Police Ombudsman Nuala O'Loan said it had upheld two complaints from Mr Brown's family about the RUC inquiry into his murder.

These were that the investigation had not been "efficiently and properly carried out" and that "no earnest effort was made to identify those who had carried out the murder".

The Brown family has agreed terms under which it will comply with the murder investigation.

For very pragmatic reasons when the police ombudsman's report was published, the family very understandably said they wanted an independent investigation Paul O'Connor Pat Finucane Centre

These will include a new team of investigators that will include officers from outside forces.

They will be advised by a senior detective from a British Constabulary and exclude any officer involved in the original investigation or with a Special Branch background.

All relevant intelligence will be made to the inquiry team and there will be regular consultations involving briefings with the family and their advisors, including their solicitor, an Irish Government nominee and a representative from the Pat Finucane Centre.

There is also a commitment that there will be an option for statements to be issued via the family's solicitor.

A statement issued by Mr Brown's son Damian said the family would co-operate with the investigation and were willing to show goodwill.

However, he added that that would be withdrawn if the investigation was not professional, thorough and independent.

Paul O'Connor from the Pat Finucane human rights centre said the family wanted the matter resolved.

"For very pragmatic reasons when the police ombudsman's report was published, the family very understandably said they wanted an independent investigation," he said.

"They have considered their options. They have taken legal advice and they have decided that what they do not want to do is to fight though the courts for the next two to three years to try to achieve that independent investigation with constant appeals and counter appeals.

"So they have decided to reach this agreement with the chief constable."

It has been agreed with the family that the investigation will be advised by a senior external detective and an advisory group PSNI statement

A statement issued by the PSNI on Friday said it looked forward to working with the Brown family and the wider community in order to bring to justice those responsible for the murder.

"It has been agreed with the family that the investigation will be advised by a senior external detective and an advisory group," the statement said.

"The senior investigating officer, Chief Inspector Steele, will make a further public statement following a private meeting with the family."

Following the ombudsman's ruling, Chief Constable Hugh Orde ordered a new investigation into the murder by a special team of detectives.

Mr Brown's family had wanted an outside force to conduct any new inquiry into the killing.

However, Mr Orde said because there was no evidence of collusion it was the right thing for his officers to carry out the new investigation.

No-one has been charged with Mr Brown's murder, which is one of more than 1,800 unsolved killings during the Troubles.

He was killed by the LVF, which was formed by Billy Wright, who broke away from the Ulster Volunteer Force after that organisation declared its 1994 ceasefire.

Wright was shot dead in the Maze Prison in December 1997.