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RUC boss denies Nelson Knowledge Police 'could not save Nelson'
(about 7 hours later)
Sir Ronnie Flanagan has said if he had known about reports of an affair concerning Rosemary Nelson he would have considered it a private matter. Special Branch knew the identities of those who murdered Lurgan solicitor Rosemary Nelson shortly afterwards, Sir Ronnie Flanagan has said.
The former RUC chief was giving evidence to the inquiry into the Lurgan solicitor's murder. The former RUC chief constable was giving evidence to the inquiry into her 1999 murder by loyalist paramilitaries.
Sir Ronnie said Mrs Nelson had been murdered by "thugs and cowards" who were determined to kill.
However, he added that, in the absence of intelligence of a direct threat, police could not have saved her.
Mrs Nelson, 40, died after a booby-trap bomb exploded under her car.
"Sadly, when a number of my friends died in the way that Rosemary Nelson died and it was not possible to protect their lives, even if things were done differently, it is my sad conclusion it would not have saved Mrs Nelson's life," he said.
He said he had backed the precautionary measure to have police monitor Mrs Nelson's home and business, but in the absence of a specific threat, it was decided not to have a crime prevention officer speak to her.
Sir Ronnie said: "I personally never dreamt for a moment she was at risk of what subsequently happened."
'Not infallible'
Asked if he might have done anything differently, he said he would have ensured Mrs Nelson was given personal security advice, but added that this could not have ensured her safety.
Rejecting claims that her death was an intelligence failure, he said: "Intelligence is not infallible."
Sir Ronnie Flanagan was giving evidence on his final day at the inquiryThe inquiry heard also evidence on allegations by some police officers that Mrs Nelson was having an affair with Lurgan republican Colin Duffy.
Sir Ronnie said if he had known about reports of an affair, he would have considered it a private matter.
He said he did not see any intelligence documents which claimed Mrs Nelson and Colin Duffy, a local republican, were having an affair.He said he did not see any intelligence documents which claimed Mrs Nelson and Colin Duffy, a local republican, were having an affair.
Mrs Nelson, 40, died after a booby-trap bomb exploded under her car in 1999.
The inquiry heard how RUC Special Branch had recorded that Mrs Nelson was providing false alibis to the IRA.The inquiry heard how RUC Special Branch had recorded that Mrs Nelson was providing false alibis to the IRA.
It also revealed plans by the police to bug a house owned by Mrs Nelson and used by Mr Duffy were prevented by the then Secretary of State Mo Mowlam, because in her view it would have breached legal privilege between the lawyer and her client. It also revealed plans by the police to bug a house, owned by Mrs Nelson and used by Mr Duffy, were prevented by the then Secretary of State Mo Mowlam, because in her view it would have breached legal privilege between the lawyer and her client.
Sir Ronnie added that with hindsight he may have done some things differently, but with the absence of intelligence it would have been very difficult to have saved Mrs Nelson's life. Summing up on his third and final day at the inquiry, Sir Ronnie said at the heart of the issues being dealt with was a dreadful human tragedy.
"It remains my hope that at some time those responsible might be brought to justice," he added.