Police case ends after 100 days

Officers are claiming for trauma suffered during Troubles

A compensation case taken by police officers who say they suffered post traumatic stress during the Troubles has ended.

The High Court hearing lasted more than 100 days. It is likely to be several months before a judgement is heard.

More than 5,000 retired and serving officers are claiming compensation.

They accuse successive RUC and PSNI chief constables of negligence in their duty of care of officers during the years of the Troubles.

The High Court in Belfast heard 12 sample cases of people who suffered post traumatic stress.

If the officers' case is successful they would have to undergo medical examinations to determine how much each of them suffered from psychiatric illness.

The resulting compensation bill facing the government could be as much as £100m.

Mr Justice Coghlin said it was "a long and complicated matter but clearly very important".

He said it would take him months to resolve "the complicated issues" in the case.