Republican News · Thursday 10 April 2003

Ex-RUC man faces charges in Hamill case

BY AINE Ní BHRIAN

A former RUC member is among three people due to face charges in connection with the investigation into the killing of Portadown man Robert Hamill by loyalists.

The Director of Public Prosecutions' office has confirmed that "a direction has been issued to prosecute three people, including one police officer, in relation to offences of perverting the course of justice in relation to the circumstances surrounding the death of Robert Hamill".

Although a date has not yet been set for their appearance, Robert Atkinson - a former RUC man who was "suspended" from the RUC two years ago - and two other people will be summoned to appear before a court in the near future.

Twenty-five year old Robert Hamill was beaten and kicked in Portadown town centre in full view of an RUC Land Rover by a mob of 30 unionists on April 27, 1997. The RUC did nothing to intervene, nor did they detain anyone at the scene or render first aid after the attack subsided.

Robert was taken to Belfast's Royal Victoria Hospital in serious condition but he fell into a coma and never regained consciousness. He died 12 days later as a result of his injuries. His partner was pregnant with their third child at the time.

Eventually, six men were charged with his murder but charges against five of them were then dropped. The sixth was later acquitted of murder, being found guilty only of "causing an affray". He was released from prison in 1999.

It is understood that the current charges relate to an alleged phone call to a suspect only hours after Robert was attacked.

In November 2000, Police Ombusdsman Nuala O'Loan took over the investigation into complaints against RUC officers and their conduct in relation to Robert's killing - a move that was welcomed by the Hamill family.

The previous year, the Hamill family solicitor, Rosemary Nelson, was killed in a car bomb outside her home in Lurgan.

The Ombudsman has also investigated claims that the RUC failed to act on threats made against Rosemary's life, and that several RUC officers were among those who threatened her.

Prior to her death, Rosemary Nelson stated publically on many occassions that RUC men often told her she would get "the 1989 treatment" - a veiled reference to the assassination of lawyer Pat Finucane, in which collusion is also suspected.