The Northern Ireland Policing Board is the Police Authority for Northern Ireland, charged with supervising the activities of the Police Service of Northern Ireland. It is a non-departmental public body composed of members of the Northern Ireland Assembly, and independent members of the community, who are appointed by the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland using the Nolan principles for public appointments.
The board was reconstituted for a third time on 22 May 2007 and for the first time in its history, Sinn Féin MLAs took up their seats on the Policing Board following a decision to support the PSNI at their Ardfheis on 28 January 2007. This is unique, as Sinn Féin were associated with the Provisional Irish Republican Army (PIRA) and during the Troubles the IRA killed over 300 Police Officers who were serving with the Royal Ulster Constabulary (RUC).
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Omagh Bomb investigation
On 7 February 2008, the Policing Board decided to appoint a panel of independent experts that will re-review the police investigation of the Omagh bombing. Some of the relatives of the bombing victims criticised the decision, saying that an international public inquiry covering both the Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland should be established instead. The review will determine whether enough evidence exists for further prosecutions. It will also investigate the possible perjury of two police witnesses made during Sean Hoey's trial.[1] Sinn Féin Policing Board member Alex Maskey stated that "Sinn Féin fully supports the families' right to call for a full cross-border independent inquiry while the Policing Board has its clear and legal obligation to scrutinise the police handling of the investigations." He also stated that "We recognise that the board has a major responsibility in carrying out our duty in holding the PSNI to account in the interests of justice for the Omagh families".[2]
Bomb attack
On 22 November 2009, a 400 lb. car bomb was driven to the Policing Board building in Belfast. It only partially exploded, and no one was hurt. The same day republican dissidents tried to ambush policemen.[3]
Members
DUP
- Tom Buchanan
- Ian Paisley Jnr
- David Simpson
- Peter Weir
Sinn Féin
UUP
SDLP
Independent
- Barry Gilligan(Chairman)
- Rosaleen Moore
- Mary McKee
- Gearoid O'hEara
- Brian Rea
- Prof Sir Desmond Rea
- Trevor Ringland
- David Rose
- Suneil Sharma
See also
- Information regarding the murder of Pat Finucane
- List of Government departments and agencies in Northern Ireland
References
- ^ "Omagh bomb investigation review". BBC News. Published February 7, 2008.
- ^ "Orde to outline the extent of dissident threat". The Belfast Telegraph. Published February 7, 2008.
- ^ Dissident republicans blamed for 400lb bomb after Christmas 'spectacular' threat The Times, 23 Nov 2009.
External links
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