Carrickfergus, County Antrim – The brother of murdered Glenn Quinn has expressed his disappointment and frustration with the Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI), following a report that found the police failed to properly handle intelligence indicating a threat to Quinn’s life before he was murdered. Describing the PSNI’s apology as “meaningless,” Quinn’s family believes individuals linked to a loyalist paramilitary group were responsible for his death.
The Police Ombudsman’s report revealed that the PSNI did not warn Quinn about the threat to his life, which ultimately led to his murder in January 2020. The report also highlighted the failure of police officers to take action on intelligence indicating Quinn’s name and home address as a potential target for a shooting.
Quinn’s family expressed their outrage at the findings, with his mother, Ellen, stating that the report’s details left her “absolutely disgusted.” Similarly, his brother, Martin Quinn, conveyed his anger and sense of betrayal, emphasizing that the police’s inaction represented a “disgrace” and asserting that the PSNI bore responsibility for Quinn’s tragic fate.
The ombudsman’s investigation also revealed that two duty inspectors assessed the intelligence as not constituting an immediate threat to Quinn’s life, a decision that has since been strongly criticized. Marie Anderson, the Police Ombudsman, recommended disciplinary action against one of the inspectors, highlighting the gravity of their oversight in responding to suspected death threats.
Furthermore, the Quinn family expressed their determination to seek justice for Glenn, with his mother vowing to continue fighting for the punishment of those responsible. As they anticipate a meeting with PSNI Chief Constable Jon Boutcher, they are adamant about having their concerns addressed and the decision regarding the inspectors’ disciplinary action reviewed.
In response to the report, the PSNI Deputy Chief Constable, Chris Todd, expressed the police’s acceptance of the findings and their commitment to implementing recommendations to prevent similar failings in the future. He acknowledged the challenges of policing and the complexities of working with intelligence, emphasizing the need for continuous learning and improvement within the force.
As the Quinn family remains resolute in their quest for justice, the ombudsman’s report has underscored the critical need for police officers to receive formal training on making life-and-death decisions in response to suspected death threats, a move that has been initiated by the PSNI.