A former RUC officer and two others are to face charges in connection with the investigation into the murder of Portadown Catholic Robert Hamill, the Irish News can reveal.
The major development comes just weeks before the family of Mr Hamill prepare to mark the sixth anniversary of his death – and a year after the dramatic outcome of a court hearing linked to the high-profile case.
Among those to be prosecuted are a woman and an ex-RUC reservist, Robert Atkinson, whom police last night confirmed was "no longer" in the service, following his suspension two years ago.
On the charges to be issued against the three, a spokesman for the Director of Public Prosecutions said: "A direction has been issued to prosecute three people, including one police officer, in relation to offences of perverting the course of justice in relation to the circumstances surrounding the death of Robert Hamill."
As yet it is not known when they will be summoned to appear before court but a date is expected to be set shortly.
Mr Hamill was attacked by a 30-strong loyalist mob just yards from an RUC Land Rover after a night out in Portadown on April 27 1997. The 25-year-old – whose fiancee was expecting their third child at the time – never regained consciousness and died 12 days later in Belfast's Royal Victoria Hospital.
Allegations persist that RUC officers on duty at the time failed to intervene – a claim rejected by the police.
It is understood that the charges relate to an alleged phone call to a suspect – just hours after Mr Hamill, left, was brutally beaten and left in a coma.
Last May a couple, who have now separated, were sentenced after admitting giving false information over who made the call. James McKee of Pineview Heights, Gilford, Co Down, and Andrea McKee of Stabler Crescent, Garden Village, Wrexham, pleaded guilty to perverting the course of justice.
News of the fresh prosecutions come as retired Canadian judge Peter Cory continues his probe into six controversial killings, including that of Mr Hamill. He is expected to deliver his findings on whether inquiries should be launched later this year.
Six men were originally charged with Mr Hamill's murder but charges against five were dropped. A sixth was later acquitted of murder but found guilty of causing an affray and was released from prison in 1999.
In November 2000 Police Ombudsman Nuala O'Loan took over the investigation into complaints against officers in relation to the killing – a move which was welcomed by the Hamill family.
The previous year their solicitor, Rosemary Nelson, was murdered in a loyalist car bomb attack outside her Lurgan home. The ombudsman has investigated claims that police failed to act on threats made against Mrs Nelson.
