O'Loan clears police over parade

Nuala O'Loan found police action generally justified

Police acted "in general, justifiably" during disturbances in north Belfast in 2004, the Police Ombudsman has said.

The 12 July return feeder parade in Ardoyne became the focus of two hours of rioting with water cannon deployed.

Nuala O'Loan said police consulted extensively with parade organisers but there was no evidence of a similar consultation with nationalists.

However, she said that was because of the reluctance of republicans to speak on behalf of the Ardoyne community.

Intelligence

Her report accepted that the erection of large barriers, effectively hemming in nationalists, was a contravention of human rights.

However, Mrs O'Loan said that, given intelligence suggesting that both communities were stockpiling weapons, the barriers were justified.

The ombudsman also rejected an allegation that the police had been influenced by the NIO security minister.