PSNI victim’s family launch website

Published: 24 August, 2006

Relatives of the first person shot dead by the PSNI have launched a website to publicise their case. Neil McConville from Bleary, near Lurgan, was killed in April 2003.
The 21-year-old was driving home from Belfast when police rammed his car at Upper Ballinderry in Co Antrim. PSNI officers then opened fire.
A second man in the car was slightly wounded.
The surveillance operation against Neil McConville and his companion involved 26 personnel and a helicopter.
Barry McConville, Neil McConville’s uncle, said the website had started last Friday and was still under construction.
“It’s putting the case out there. The family are determined Neil will not be forgotten. We feel the police felt he was only a bit of a young lad.
“We got the impression they felt the whole thing was done and dusted and could be pushed under the carpet.
“We are determined the police should be held to account for their actions and forced to explain what they did and why they did it.
“It has to be done in a full and accountable way.
“We want (Police Ombudsman Nuala) O’Loan’s report published in full. We don’t want any watered-down version.”
As of yesterday afternoon, there had already been more than 300 hits on the website.
The site carries a series of articles giving a detailed account of events.
The Justice for Neil website is at www.justiceforneil.com.