A public inquiry has found that state agencies did not collude with loyalists who murdered Lurgan solicitor Rosemary Nelson in 1999. However, it said there were omissions by state agencies which made her more at risk. Below is reaction to the inquiry's findings.
SECRETARY OF STATE FOR NI OWEN PATERSON
"I am profoundly sorry that omissions by the state rendered Rosemary Nelson more at risk and more vulnerable."It is also deeply regrettable that despite a very thorough police investigation no-one has been charged for this terrible crime.
"On the investigation into the murder, which was led by a senior police officer from outside Northern Ireland, the report describes the investigation as "exhaustive, energetic and enterprising".
"It concludes that "there is no evidence of any deliberate attempt by any of the organs of the state corporately to obstruct the investigation"."
SHADOW SECRETARY OF STATE FOR NI SHAUN WOODWARD
"I am unable to draw the same level of comfort as felt by the Secretary of State."It (the report) raises concerns about the RUC and the Northern Ireland Office
"This makes uncomfortable reading for both agencies.
"Her death was not inevitable, the reduction in risk to her was not reasonable and there were failings in efforts to reduce the threat."
NI RETIRED POLICE OFFICERS ASSOCIATION
"The Northern Ireland Retired Police officers Association welcomes the key finding of the Report that there is no evidence of any act by the RUC which directly facilitated Rosemary Nelson's murder."The reference to being unable to exclude the possibility of a rogue or rogue officers in some way assisting the murders is, however, judicially valueless and is unsubstantiated conjecture.
"The report fails to take adequately into account the difficulties of protecting Rosemary Nelson when the evidence from Cory and from her testimony to the US Congress in 1998 was that she regarded the process (of availing of protective measures and advice) would require RUC involvement and she had no faith in that institution."
COMMISSION FOR VICTIMS AND SURVIVORS
"Today is undoubtedly a traumatic and difficult time for the family of Rosemary Nelson and we can only hope that the publication of the report of the inquiry gives them a measure of peace."RUC GEORGE CROSS FOUNDATION
"The RUC George Cross Foundation has welcomed the finding that there is no evidence of any act or omission by the RUC which directly facilitated Rosemary Nelson's murder."It is interesting to note that although there is some criticism of police systems and police officers, the inquiry report makes no recommendations.
"We hope this report will once and for all put to rest the offensive and now discredited allegations of collusion with the people who carried out this despicable murder."
TRADITIONAL UNIONIST VOICE LEADER JIM ALLISTER
"I trust the finding that there was no collusion in the murder of Rosemary Nelson will now be accepted and finally lay to rest another republican myth."
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