Police in Northern Ireland were justified in the use of plastic bullets and on at least one occasion were too restrained in firing them, according to a report produced by the Police Ombudsman, Ms Nuala O'Loan. She also recently told an audience in nationalist west Belfast that the police Special Branch should be maintained.
Ms O'Loan's office conducted a study of seven riots from April last year to April this year, during which 36 plastic bullets were fired, 26 civilians injured and 110 police officers were injured.
Informed sources said she found that police justifiably fired the plastic bullets and that they were under provocation. During one riot, Ms O'Loan reported that police were too restrained in firing the bullets to quell the riot and protect themselves, the sources added.
The United Campaign Against Plastic Bullets said the Ombudsman's findings were "absolutely incredible". The Sinn Féin MLA for North Belfast, Mr Gerry Kelly, said plastic bullets must be banned. A spokesman for the Ombudsman insisted its findings were "based on evidence alone and are totally independent".
