Police 'guilty' over gates death

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The police have accepted responsibility for the death of a man who was crushed by gates at Strabane police station.

Ciaran Connolly, 28, from Castlegrange, died from upper body and head injuries after being struck by fortified electrical gates on 17 March 2003.

An officer representing Chief Constable Sir Hugh Orde admitted failing to take reasonable care of visitors to the police station.

Sentence will be passed on the Office of the Chief Constable next month.

A second charge accusing the chief constable's office of failing to ensure the safety of its own police officers was allowed to "lie on the file", not to be proceeded with without leave of the Crown Court or the Court of Appeal.

It is understood Mr Connolly was struck by the gates during an incident involving a number of men outside the Strabane station at 0145 BST.

Before the guilty plea was entered by the senior officer at Omagh Crown Court, Mr Justice Hart asked if he was "authorised" to make the plea on behalf of the chief constable's office.

A defence solicitor said that Sir Hugh had given the authorisation on Thursday "in my presence".

A prosecuting solicitor said it was his instructions that given the admission the court should allow the second count to "lie on the files".