Republican News · Thursday 7 August 2003

Brophy demands justice

Sinn Féin North Belfast councillor Gerard Brophy has called for immediate action to be taken after it was revealed the Police Ombudsman's office had to postpone its investigation of a PSNI member who wrongly accused Brophy of rioting because the man concerned is on sick leave.

Brophy, who was cleared of the rioting charges in November last year, insists the PSNI man must be brought to book.

"I want justice because I should not have been brought to court in the first place on trumped up charges," he said. "All I want is for action to be taken against those who made the allegations against me. I've been waiting three months and no progress has been made. Illness should not prevent the PSNI member being investigated."

The Police Ombudsman's office can have the PSNI member examined by an independent doctor should he take a lengthy absence and depending on the medical expert's advice the Ombudsman would have the option of pressing ahead with the investigation.