Ulster Unionist Member on the Policing Board, Ross Hussey MLA, has commented on a Police Ombudsman investigation into the use of live fire during an incident Gilford, Co. Down in 2009.
The West Tyrone MLA said;
“In any circumstances where a firearm is used by a police officer there is always a follow up examination by the Police Ombudsman’s office. In this specific case a prosecution failed and the officer was subsequently disciplined.
“Fortunately there were no fatalities but we must always remember that police officers as well as having to deal with criminals, as was the case here, have to be mindful of the terrorist threat that they face day and daily.
“This incident was further complicated given the victim in this case was also a criminal; a thief who had threatened the owner of the car with the threat of a petrol bomb. This heightened the belief that he was a terrorist.”
ENDS