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'No informer' in soldier killing 'No informer' in soldier killing
(about 4 hours later)
The Police Ombudsman has rejected a claim that the murder of the last soldier killed by the IRA in Northern Ireland could have been prevented.The Police Ombudsman has rejected a claim that the murder of the last soldier killed by the IRA in Northern Ireland could have been prevented.
Lance Bombardier Stephen Restorick, 23, was shot by a sniper at a checkpoint in Bessbrook in February 1997.Lance Bombardier Stephen Restorick, 23, was shot by a sniper at a checkpoint in Bessbrook in February 1997.
Eighteen months ago, an ex-soldier told the Sunday Times that the killing was permitted to protect an informer.Eighteen months ago, an ex-soldier told the Sunday Times that the killing was permitted to protect an informer.
Mr Restorick's parents complained to the Ombudsman, but Nuala O'Loan said there was no evidence for the claim.Mr Restorick's parents complained to the Ombudsman, but Nuala O'Loan said there was no evidence for the claim.
The Ombudsman said the car used in the shooting had been under surveillance by police at the time because of intelligence information that it was to be used in some kind of an attack.The Ombudsman said the car used in the shooting had been under surveillance by police at the time because of intelligence information that it was to be used in some kind of an attack.
Mrs O'Loan said: "The man who made these allegations was a former member of the Special Forces but he was not present on the day of the attack nor was he part of a surveillance team operating in the area at the time.Mrs O'Loan said: "The man who made these allegations was a former member of the Special Forces but he was not present on the day of the attack nor was he part of a surveillance team operating in the area at the time.
We found no evidence that a listening device had been planted on board nor that anyone knew about the specific plans for the car Nuala O'LoanPolice OmbudsmanWe found no evidence that a listening device had been planted on board nor that anyone knew about the specific plans for the car Nuala O'LoanPolice Ombudsman
"While we have uncovered evidence that the stolen Mazda car used in the attack was under surveillance, we have found no evidence that a listening device had been planted on board nor that anyone knew about the specific plans for the car that day."While we have uncovered evidence that the stolen Mazda car used in the attack was under surveillance, we have found no evidence that a listening device had been planted on board nor that anyone knew about the specific plans for the car that day.
"We also examined the issue of whether the gun used in the attack had been fitted with a tracking device as alleged by the undercover officer."We also examined the issue of whether the gun used in the attack had been fitted with a tracking device as alleged by the undercover officer.
"I am satisfied, given the level of evidence obtained during the inquiry, that this was not the case.""I am satisfied, given the level of evidence obtained during the inquiry, that this was not the case."
Mr Restorick from Peterborough, Cambridgeshire was the last soldier to be killed before the IRA called its second ceasefire.Mr Restorick from Peterborough, Cambridgeshire was the last soldier to be killed before the IRA called its second ceasefire.
He had just handed back a driving licence to a woman driver who had stopped at the checkpoint when he was shot in the head. He had just handed back a driving licence to a woman driver who had stopped at the checkpoint when he was shot in the back.
As part of the Ombudsman's inquiry, the ex-soldier and others who were on duty with Lance Bombardier Restorick at the time he was shot, as well as senior military and police officers, including the detective who headed up the murder investigation were all interviewed.As part of the Ombudsman's inquiry, the ex-soldier and others who were on duty with Lance Bombardier Restorick at the time he was shot, as well as senior military and police officers, including the detective who headed up the murder investigation were all interviewed.
Mrs O'Loan said: "We have established that there had been a surveillance operation in the area for some considerable time and that a number of other properties and vehicles were also involved, including the car which was eventually used in the attack.Mrs O'Loan said: "We have established that there had been a surveillance operation in the area for some considerable time and that a number of other properties and vehicles were also involved, including the car which was eventually used in the attack.
"It is very regrettable that police did not pay closer attention to this particular car, given that they had concerns about it."It is very regrettable that police did not pay closer attention to this particular car, given that they had concerns about it.
"However we have not uncovered any evidence they had information which would have allowed them to prevent Stephen's murder.""However we have not uncovered any evidence they had information which would have allowed them to prevent Stephen's murder."