Widow of RUC Sergeant Joseph Campbell suing police after claims his murder in Cushendall in 1977 could have been prevented
The widow of a murdered RUC officer is suing the police over claims his killing could have been prevented.
Sergeant Joseph Campbell was shot dead as he closed his station in Cushendall in February 1977.
A Police Ombudsman inquiry later found senior commanders within the force had information about a threat to the father-of-eight but failed to respond.
His widow, Rosemary Campbell, has now issued proceedings against the Chief Constable at the High Court, Belfast.
She is seeking damages for alleged assault and battery, negligence, breach of statutory duty and misfeasance in public office.
A judge was told mediation has been suggested as a potential alternative way of resolving the legal action.
Investigations into the circumstances surrounding Sgt Campbell’s shooting suggested one possible motive may have been that he was about to expose criminals involved in gun smuggling from Scotland to Red Bay.
During the early 1980s an RUC Special Branch officer was charged with the murder but acquitted at trial.
No-one else has ever been prosecuted for the killing.
In 2014 former Ombudsman Dr Michael Maguire identified reliable evidence that some of those within the RUC’s command structure were aware of concerns about a threat against the victim.
He concluded the community police officer and his family had been failed by senior members of the force.
Following that report, the Attorney General for Northern Ireland ordered a fresh inquest into the death.
Case management preparations for hearing that tribunal are currently continuing.
Meanwhile, the High Court heard that the offer of mediation in the civil action has been made to lawyers representing Mrs Campbell.
Her son, Joe Campbell Jr, said later: “My mother is pleased that after all these years this matter now appears to be moving in the right direction towards a positive resolution”
The family’s solicitor, Fearghal Shiels of Madden & Finucane, insisted the killing of Sgt Campbell was entirely preventable.
“The RUC had specific knowledge and information concerning the risks to his life which, had they acted upon them, could have prevented his murder,” Mr Shiels added.
“The RUC owed Joe Campbell a duty of care, but failed to act upon the information and knowledge they had concerning the risks to his life.
“In doing so they failed in their duty of care to him in failing to prevent his death.”