Summary
'The Rosemary Nelson Inquiry Report’ (HC 947) found no evidence of state agencies contributing to the murder of solicitor Rosemary Nelson but concludes that there was insufficient prevention of the attack.
Sir Michael Morland looked into the murder of the solicitor in Lurgan, Northern Ireland, after a bomb exploded under her car near her home in March 1999.
It was claimed she had been threatened by Royal Ulster Constabulary (RUC) officers as well as loyalist paramilitaries. In 2004 'the Cory Collusion Inquiry' investigated the allegations of collusion between British security forces and paramilitaries in her murder, and concluded that there was enough evidence to warrant a full public inquiry.
There were claims the police and government ignored a series of warnings about threats against her: concerns about her safety had been raised over a two-year period before she was killed. She had become a hate figure for hardline loyalists - and reportedly some police officers - because of some of the Republican clients she represented.
There is no evidence that the RUC, Northern Ireland Office (NIO) or Security Service directly facilitated the murder. However, some members of the RUC did publicly abuse and assault Nelson in 1997, and make abusive/threatening remarks about her to her clients, which became publicly known. Combined with intelligence leaks these had the effect of legitimising her as a target.
There were omissions by the RUC and NIO which rendered her more at risk and more vulnerable. These omissions meant the state failed to take reasonable and proportionate steps to safeguard the life of Rosemary Nelson.
The Inquiry finds no evidence of obstruction into the murder investigation, which was carried out with due diligence.
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