An investigation is underway to discover why Irish police initially withdrew from the scene of a crush at a St Patrick’s Day disco in which three teens died.
The Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) is investigating why police officers who attended a tragic St Patrick’s Day accident in which three teens died may have initially withdrawn from the scene.
Morgan Barnard, 17; Lauren Bullock, 17; and Connor Currie, 16, all tragically died on March 17 in a crush near the entrance to a local disco.
Police first responded to the scene at the entrance to the Greenvale Hotel in Cookstown, Co Tyrone, around 9:30 pm on St Patrick’s Day but it is believed that after their initial assessment, they withdrew to await further police support before continuing to establish more detail.
Read more: Three teens killed in St Patrick's Day disco crush laid to rest
Hundreds have attended funerals in Co Tyrone, as family and friends say goodbye to Morgan Barnard, Lauren Bullock, and Connor Curriehttps://t.co/L66zPQdPaQ pic.twitter.com/NunJbRZ3HQ
— UTV Live News (@UTVNews) March 22, 2019
PSNI Chief Constable George Hamilton has now referred the actions of the officers to the region’s independent police watchdog, the Police Ombudsman Dr. Michael Maguire.
“The ongoing investigation into the tragic events at the Greenvale Hotel is active and wide-ranging,” Deputy Chief Constable Stephen Martin confirmed Tuesday.
“As part of that investigation, it is right and proper that the actions of all those involved are considered.
Mourners carry the coffin as they attend the funeral of Lauren Bullock, one of the three teenage victims of a crush at a St.Patrick's Day Disco in Cookstown at St Patrick's church on March 22, 2019 in Donaghmore near Dungannon, Northern Ireland. Image: Getty
“Part of the investigation has included a review of the initial police response.
“The first police officers arrived at the hotel grounds shortly after receiving the 999 report.
“Following their initial assessment, they made attempts to establish more detail and information about what was happening and subsequently withdrew to await further police support.
“When the first ambulance arrived, police moved forward in support of them.
“The timing and nature of police actions during this period require further investigation to fully establish the facts.
Read more: Two men arrested on suspicion of manslaughter after three teens killed in Paddy's Day "crush"
Maria Barnard, the mother of Morgan Barnard (2nd L) is comforted by James Bradley, father of Morgan Barnard (L) as she attends the funeral of Morgan Barnard, one of the three teenage victims of a crush at a St.Patrick's Day Disco in Cookstown at St Patrick's church on March 22, 2019 in Donaghmore near Dungannon, Northern Ireland.Image: Getty.
“The Chief Constable has therefore decided that the initial police response should be subject to independent scrutiny and it is in the public interest to refer the circumstances and the nature of the actions of the first officers arriving at the scene to the Police Ombudsman.
“The families have been informed of the referral.
“The confidence of the families and the confidence of the communities we serve are at the forefront of our minds in our decision to refer this matter to the Police Ombudsman.
“We will work with the ombudsman to support whatever action he undertakes and would ask that people do not speculate or prejudge the outcome of the ombudsman’s investigation.”
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