Ex-policeman took his own life after Harryville robbery

Edward Richard Hanley, 37, died from a self-inflicted gunshot wound to the head after being surrounded by armed police at his Loughan Hill home in the town.

The father-of-two had returned to the property after earlier being involved in an armed robbery at the Northern Bank in Harryville.

A quantity of money – both in pounds and euros – estimated to be in the region of £18,000 was later recovered from Mr Hanley’s garage following the theft.

Last Tuesday’s inquest heard that on the morning of March 11, 2009, Mr Hanley entered the bank wearing a balaclava, latex gloves and armed with a handgun.

After tying up two employees, he stole the cash from the bank’s safe before making off in a member of staff’s car.

The vehicle was later abandoned when Mr Hanley got into his black Lexus car and returned to his home.

Armed police were deployed to the address and PSNI personnel prevented the Ballymena man, who was inside his car, from exiting his driveway.

Despite verbal warnings and instructions to put the firearm down, Mr Hanley discharged a shot while holding the handgun to his lower jaw.

After first-aid attempts by officers, Mr Hanley was pronounced dead at the scene.

The former RUC reserve constable had a history of post-traumatic stress disorder, depression and back pain after being caught up in a terrorist mortar bomb attack in Newry in 1994.

The ex-policeman also suffered nightmares following the Omagh bomb four years later, according to his wife.

After prolonged periods of sick leave, Mr Hanley retired on medical grounds in November 2006.

In a statement, Mr Hanley’s wife, Shauna, said she could “offer no explanation” for her husband’s actions.

“Ricky was a good man, a good husband and a good father and it’s for these things I will always remember him,” she said.

She admitted that her partner never showed any suicidal tendencies and during the last few months of his life “nothing gave me cause for concern”.

Mrs Hanley also said the couple were actively making plans for his birthday and a future weekend away.

According to his doctor, the former policeman was referred to a community psychiatric service during his prolonged sickness, but had declined counselling.

Describing Mr Hanley as “quite a private man”, the doctor said: “I think he felt he should be able to solve his own problems. It was difficult for him to ask for help.”

In her findings, coroner Suzanne Anderson concluded Mr Hanley’s death was caused by a bullet wound to the head.

Expressing her sympathy to the deceased’s family, Ms Anderson admitted the matter was a “truly shocking experience” for everyone involved, including bank staff and police.