Police on defensive over McDaid murder
THE PSNI has defended its role during the events surrounding the Kevin McDaid killing.
Newly-appointed Assistant Chief Constable Judith Gillespie said officers did all they could during the trouble in Coleraine last Sunday and were now also doing all in their power to bring those responsible to justice.
It comes as the McDaid family made a formal complaint to the Police Ombudsman about the events surrounding his murder.
Although they praised police officers who tried to save Mr McDaid after he was attacked, the family say they are concerned that alleged threats made by loyalists in the lead up to the trouble in the Heights area of the town were not dealt with properly.
They claim that his death could have been prevented if police had acted earlier.
Another man – 46-year-old Damien Fleming – was critically injured in the same attack.
Ms Gillespie said the thoughts of her officers were with the families affected: “We understand the devastation that this has caused the McDaid and Fleming families and the wider Coleraine community and our thoughts are with them at this extremely difficult time.
“We agree entirely with the McDaid family that this murder should not have happened and we are doing everything in our power to bring the perpetrators to justice.
“It is vital that everyone continues to work to ensure that such brutal sectarian attacks are firmly confined to the past. We all owe it to Kevin’s memory to ensure that this happens.
“Let me reassure you that we are doing everything to investigate the timeline of events that led to Kevin’s death.
“We are fully aware of the concerns expressed by the family and a number of other people in the community and have asked the Police Ombudsman to carry out a full and independent inquiry.”
She defended the role of the police during the events surrounding the murder.
“It would be inappropriate for me to comment on the specific details of the circumstances leading to the murder, as people have been charged and PONI are carrying out an investigation.
“However, I can reassure you that on Sunday, May 24 my neighbourhood officers worked tirelessly to ease tensions in Coleraine ahead of a Scottish Premier League football match.
“Following the attack, officers were quickly on the scene and attempted to save Mr McDaid’s life by rendering mouth-to-mouth resuscitation and CPR and also acted swiftly and courageously in coming to the aid of Mr Fleming.
“These officers are also devastated by the death of Kevin – a man they knew well through his positive work in the community – and by the serious attack on Damien.”
ACC Gillespie said that a team of 60 detectives are carrying out a very thorough and proactive investigation.
She ended her statement by appealing for calm in the area.
