Police compensation may top £100m

Police were often in riot situations

A landmark court ruling allowing former police officers to claim compensation for trauma suffered during the Troubles could cost more than £100m.

Many of the 5,000 Northern Ireland police officers who sued the chief constable are expected to receive compensation.

Mr Justice Coghlin ruled that the PSNI and RUC were liable from 1986 onwards.

He said there had been systematic failures in the management of the force.

Around 10 test cases were selected to represent issues common to all claimants, these are expected to be ruled on on Tuesday.

Those involved in the overall case claimed they were not prepared for what they experienced and that adequate support mechanisms were not in place.

It is the largest group action ever taken in the United Kingdom and the hearing lasted 102 days, a record for Northern Ireland.

'Found in favour'

In his judgment following the 102-day hearing, Mr Justice Coglin said officers had suffered "emotional damage as real as that caused by bomb and bullet".

"There is no comparison with the dark despairing days of the terrorist campaign," he added.

"That such a mood now prevails is due in part to the quiet dignity and dogged courage of ordinary men and women who place themselves between anarchy and the rule of law."

Mr Justice Coglin said officers had suffered "emotional damage"

In a response to the ruling at the High Court in Belfast, the PSNI said: "We note that the court has found in favour of the Police Service under four of the five headings.

"The fifth heading, where the court has found in favour of the plaintiffs, relates to a limited period of time from 1988 to 1994."

The Police Federation of Northern Ireland, which took the action, said: "The judgment is a vindication of the decision to bring this case before the courts on behalf of our injured members."