Liam Bennett case goes to Police Ombudsman after O’Loan request
SDLP Councillor Declan O’Loan has referred the case of the death of toddler Liam Bennett to the Police Ombudsman.
He has also put questions on the case to the Director of Public Prosecutions.
O’Loan said: “When the recent inquest revealed that the toddler Liam Bennett who died in February 2009 had sustained serious injuries, I expressed my serious concerns that no one had been charged with any offences. In particular I wondered if the police investigation had been adequate.
“After thinking about the matter carefully, I have referred the matter to the Police Ombudsman as a complaint about the police investigation. I regard it as vital that there is a determination as to whether the police could have gone further to establish who caused the injuries from which Liam died.
“I have also written to the Director of Public Prosecutions to ask why a direction not to prosecute was made in this case, and whether the Public Prosecution Service told the police to carry out further investigation,, and if they did not, why not?”
“I think that there is widespread public concern about this case, and that justice requires better answers than have come forward at this stage.”