RUC ‘failed’ to pursue suspects in murder

A police investigation into the murder of a Catholic taxi driver in Belfast “failed to effectively pursue relevant suspects”, a report by Police Ombudsman Marie Anderson has concluded.

John O’Hara, 41, was shot dead by the Ulster Defence Association (UDA) on Dunluce Avenue in 1991.

Mrs Anderson reviewed the original Royal Ulster Constabulary (RUC) investigation following a complaint from his family.

She uncovered several issues, including forensic failings, which resulted in an “inadequate” investigation.

Mr O’Hara, a father-of-five, had no connection with any political party or paramilitary group.

A number of shots were fired into Mr O’Hara’s car from an alleyway as he arrived to pick up a fare.

There is nothing to suggest the RUC had information which would have enabled them to take action to prevent his murder.

Mrs Anderson said within two weeks of the shooting, intelligence was received which indicated the involvement of eight people.

However, only three of them were arrested and there is no evidence the alibis they provided were checked.

One of the suspected gunmen was not picked up, despite being connected to the attack by witness evidence and four separate pieces of intelligence.

“Although the initial police response was comprehensive and of a good standard, the subsequent murder enquiry was not capable of bringing those responsible to justice,” Mrs Anderson said.

A car which closely matched the description of the getaway vehicle was not seized for examination.

There was also a forensic failing in relation to a balaclava discovered a mile from the murder scene.

Twelve hairs were found on it, but they were compared to those taken from suspects in another case.

Two guns used in the attack, which were recovered in 1992 and 1995, can no longer be found.

No disposal orders exist for the weapons.

Mrs Anderson said they should have been kept by the police “for evidential purposes in respect of unsolved murders, including Mr O’Hara’s”.

Mr O’Hara’s family has welcomed the ombudsman’s findings.

The family’s solicitor, Pádraig Ó Muirigh, said: “These findings are a damning indictment of the RUC investigation into John O’Hara’s murder”.

Mr Ó Muirigh added that the family was made aware of a “litany of serious deficiencies in the investigation”.

“The breadth and nature of these failings cannot be explained by mere incompetence.

“The O’Hara family have a long-held view that those involved in the murder were protected from prosecution by the RUC. That view has been reinforced by these findings.”