The Police Service of Northern Ireland has acknowledged the findings of the Robert Hamill Inquiry, which identified serious failings in the original Royal Ulster Constabulary investigation into the 1997 murder of the 25-year-old Catholic man in Portadown.

Robert Hamill was beaten by a loyalist mob at the junction of Thomas Street and Woodhouse Street in the early hours of April 27, 1997, as he walked home from a dance at St Patrick’s Hall. He died in hospital 11 days later.

The inquiry report, published on Monday after a long delay, found that the murder investigation was obstructed by a series of wrongful acts and omissions by RUC officers. Specific failings included a lack of proper debriefing of officers who were at the scene, failures to record and pursue information, and delays in acting on an allegation that Reserve Constable Robert Atkinson tipped off a suspect to dispose of clothing.

The inquiry panel members concluded that the four officers in a Land Rover near the scene were not aware Mr Hamill was being attacked, as their attention was on two other men at their vehicle. Two of the three panel members cleared the crew of any wrongdoing, but the panel’s original chairman, Sir Edwin Jowitt, considered that each officer was guilty of a wrongful omission for failing to keep watch. All three agreed the distraction did not facilitate Mr Hamill’s death.

Reserve Constable Atkinson was later jailed for 12 months in 2024 for conspiring to pervert the course of justice in connection with the tip-off.

Assistant Chief Constable Anthony McNally said Mr Hamill was "an innocent young man killed by a despicable act of sectarian hatred". He acknowledged the "profound impact" of the murder on the family and said the report will be very upsetting for them.

ACC McNally said the report identified serious and unacceptable failings in the RUC’s response and subsequent investigation. These included failures in initial debriefing, recording and pursuit of information, direction and oversight, and handling of the Atkinson allegation. He said the inquiry found these failures obstructed the murder investigation.

He added that the PSNI has changed fundamentally since 1997, including through independent police oversight and modern investigative practices, but said the passage of time does not diminish the gravity of the findings or the need to learn from them. The PSNI will assess the report’s recommendations against current policy and work with the Policing Board and Police Ombudsman where appropriate.

Foyle MP Colum Eastwood expressed solidarity with the Hamill family and highlighted the context of the Drumcree dispute at the time. He challenged those who do not want prosecutions for Troubles-related murders to read the inquiry report and listen to the Hamill family.

Speaking in the House of Commons, Secretary of State Chris Bryant described Atkinson’s conduct as especially disturbing and noted the inquiry’s finding of a "catalogue of failures" by the RUC. He said that sectarianism sometimes leads not just to murder but to cover-up.