Brother of murder victim dies days after PSNI chief hand-delivers apology

ITV News

3 days ago

A man who campaigned for answers over the murder of his brother has died days after receiving a police apology.Eugene Thompson died in the Mater Hospital in Belfast this week.Last week, PSNI Chief Constable Jon Boutcher delivered a personal apology at his bedside over police failings around the murder of his brother Paul by loyalist terrorists in 1994.
Paul Thompson, 25, died after being shot while in a taxi in the area of Springfield Park on his way home.Earlier that evening, UDA terrorists are believed to have cut a hole in a peace line fence to access the area which was reported to police.
In his apology Mr Boutcher acknowledged failures by police and said the murder has not been the subject of a full and effective investigation.
In a statement the Committee on the Administration of Justice in Northern Ireland say Eugene died without truth or justice for what happened to his brother Paul.
They added they will continue to fight for answers.Sinn Fein MP Paul Maskey expressed his condolences following the death of Eugene Thompson.He said: 'Eugene, alongside his family, led a brave and dignified campaign to uncover the full extent of Paul's sectarian murder and the role the British state played in it.'Shamefully, the British government continues to conceal this, denying Eugene's family, and so many others, even the most basic justice.'Just last week, Chief Constable Jon Boutcher delivered a letter to Eugene Thompson as he lay terminally ill in the Mater Hospital.'Mr Maskey added: 'This was testament to Eugene's character, determined right to the end to see justice for Paul.'The UK Government has launched a legal bid at the Supreme Court to prevent coroner Louisa Fee from disclosing a summary, or gist, of the evidence in a sensitive security force file following an inquest into Paul Thompson's death.A ruling has not yet been made.Last week, Eugene Thompson welcomed the apology from Mr Boutcher, and said he hoped to see the judgment from the Supreme Court soon.
In a statement the Committee on the Administration of Justice (CAJ) said: "It is with deep sadness that we acknowledge the passing of Eugene Thompson, brother of Paul 'Topper' Thompson, who was shot dead by the UDA in Belfast in August 1994.
"Eugene died without ever seeing the disclosure of the intelligence material relevant to his brother's inquest. He died without hearing the Supreme Court judgment.
"Most tragically, he died without truth or justice for what happened to Paul. "Eugene spent the final years of his life leading his family's campaign for truth, following in the footsteps of his late mother Margaret, who also passed away without answers.
"He fought with determination and dignity, even while gravely ill and facing continued institutional resistance.
"That he has died while the case remains unresolved is a profound injustice which should weigh heavily on those responsible for the persistent delays, obstruction and legal challenges that have defined this process."Only last week, the PSNI Chief Constable issued a formal apology to Eugene in recognition of the failings of both the RUC and PSNI in the handling of Paul's case.
"While no apology can undo the harm, it was right that Eugene received this acknowledgment during his lifetime. "At the heart of this legal battle is whether Paul Thompson's family is entitled to even the most limited information, a gist, about the intelligence the State holds on his death.
"The highest authorities in this jurisdiction agreed the information should be shared. The High Court and Court of Appeal ruled in favour of disclosure. The PSNI, under Jon Boutcher, supported this ruling.
"However, the UK government, through the Secretary of State, Ministry of Defence and Home Office, chose to appeal. The Supreme Court heard the case in June and has not yet issued a ruling.
"These delays continued despite the government being fully aware of Eugene's terminal illness. "Eugene's death underscores the human cost of a system designed not to deliver answers, but to delay and deny them.
"Like so many others, Eugene encountered a government more committed to secrecy than to justice.
"Despite this, he remained resolute in his pursuit of truth, not only for Paul but for all families who have suffered from the State's failure to protect its citizens and its ongoing refusal to be held to account. "This case sits within the broader context of the UK Government's Legacy Act and its deeply flawed new structures, including the ICRIR, which aim to shut down independent legal processes and shield the State from scrutiny."RFJ and CAJ extend our deepest sympathies to Eugene's loved ones, especially Briege. We also reaffirm our support for all families still seeking truth, justice and accountability. Eugene should not have had to fight this long, and he should not have died without answers."We will continue that fight in his name and in memory of all those who have been silenced not by time, but by deliberate delay."
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