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Two people to be charged over Greenvale Hotel deaths

Connor Currie, Lauren Bullock and Morgan Barnard died while waiting to get into the hotel in 2019
Jack Quann
Jack Quann

13.35 1 Sep 2022


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Two people to be charged over...

Two people to be charged over Greenvale Hotel deaths

Jack Quann
Jack Quann

13.35 1 Sep 2022


Share this article


Two people and a company are to be charged in relation to the deaths of three teenagers in Northern Ireland.

Connor Currie (16), Lauren Bullock and Morgan Barnard (both 17) died while waiting to get into the Greenvale Hotel in Co Tyrone for a St Patrick's Day disco in 2019.

Northern Ireland's Public Prosecution Service has said is to prosecute "two individuals and one company" in relation to the incident in Cookstown.

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Separate investigations were carried out by the Police Service and Police Ombudsman of Northern Ireland.

"As a result, large and complex files were submitted independently to the PPS by both investigating authorities, with the PSNI reporting 11 individuals for consideration and the Police Ombudsman reporting five police officers", its Public Prosecution Service said.

Two men - aged 55 and 43 - are each to be charged with three counts of gross negligence manslaughter: one charge for each of the deaths.

Prosecutors have said they also intend to charge the same two men with one offence of contravening Northern Ireland's Health and Safety at Work Order 1978.

While the company which runs the Greenvale Hotel - known as Tobin Limited - will also face one charge of contravening the same legislation.

Decisions not to prosecute were taken in relation to the remaining nine people reported by police - and also the five police officers investigated by the ombudsman.

Tyrone File photo shows flowers left in tribute at the Greenvale Hotel in Cookstown, Co Tyrone. Picture by: Liam McBurney/PA Wire/PA Images

Senior public prosecutor Graham Cardwell said: "The loved ones of Morgan Barnard, Lauren Bullock and Connor Currie have suffered a painful loss.

"I acknowledge that today may be one of mixed emotions for these families as they continue to live with the aftermath of such deeply distressing events.

"The files received from the PSNI and the Police Ombudsman were voluminous and detailed and there were a considerable number of complex issues that required careful consideration.

"I am grateful to the families for their patience as the PPS took the time needed to complete the significant task of examining all available evidence before reaching decisions on whether there was a reasonable prospect of conviction in relation to each suspect."

He added: "I have informed the families that whilst the test for prosecution was met in respect of two suspects, it was considered not to be met on evidential grounds in respect of all other individuals reported in connection with events at the Greenvale Hotel that night.

"Detailed reasons for these decisions not to prosecute have been provided in writing to the families and we have also offered to meet in person."

The office said that criminal proceedings will begin "in due course".

Main image: The Greenvale Hotel in Cookstown, Co Tyrone is seen in March 2019. Picture by: PA Images/Alamy Stock Photo/ Liam McBurney

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Co Tyrone Connor Currie Cookstown Graham Cardwell Greenvale Hotel Lauren Bullock Morgan Barnard Northern Ireland Public Prosecution Service Tobin Limited

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