Shiels investigation not over: CID

THE PSNI officer in charge of the investigation into the fatal shooting of Londonderry man Emmett Shiels in 2008 says the investigation into his death is not over.

Detective Chief Inspector Ian Harrison, was speaking in the wake of the sentencing of 20-year-old Gary Meenan, of Bishop Street, to eight years imprisonment for his manslaughter.

Meenan's 20-year-old girlfriend, Nadine Kelly, was given a one year jail term suspended for two years after she pleaded guilty to perverting the course of justice by giving Meenan a false alibi.

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Speaking after the pair were sentenced Chief Inspector Harrison said: "Police hope that the sentences imposed today on the two defendants will provide some degree of closure for Emmett's family and friends. They are the people who matter most today. I want to pay tribute to their resilience over the past two and a half years.

"The sentences show that the police investigation, thanks to widespread community support, has been able in part to deliver justice for Emmett's family and friends.

"As the detective in charge of the investigation, I want to place on record our thanks to all the people who were prepared to come to court and give their evidence.

Their contribution has been an important one - for Emmett's family, for justice and for the investigation."

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But Chief Inspector Harrison vowed the investigation into Mr Shiels' death was not over.

"Emmett was a totally innocent victim who got caught up in a confrontation with a group of masked gunmen at Bligh's Lane in the Creggan in the early hours of 24 June 2008. That confrontation cost him his life when he was callously and deliberately shot," he said.

"Two people have been made amenable today but we know that is not the full story. We owe it to Emmett and in particular to his partner Petrina and their son Cayden, a son who will never know his father, to get justice.

"I want to ask those individuals who have information about what happened that night in the Creggan and who, for whatever reason, have not come forward to examine their consciences today.

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"My officers are ready and willing to talk to you. I would ask you to do the right thing, tell us what you did or what you know, and ease the pain and suffering so cruelly imposed on Emmett's family.

"Please help us bring as much closure as possible. Do the right thing. Talk to police," he stated.

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