Father of Shannon McQuillan Slams Police After Tragic Death

UPDATE: The father of Shannon McQuillan expressed his deep outrage, declaring he is “disgusted and ashamed” of police actions in the critical moments leading to his daughter’s tragic death in Co Antrim on January 20, 2018. This shocking revelation follows a damning report from the Police Ombudsman indicating serious failures in duty of care by the police and emergency services.

Paul McQuillan revealed the family has endured over seven years of “turmoil” since the loss of his beloved daughter. The report confirmed that Shannon, just 19 years old, was left unattended on the Moneynick Road after a night out, leading to her being struck and killed by a van. Her boyfriend, Owen McFerran, suffered life-altering injuries.

The investigation found that police officers, along with a paramedic and a trainee technician, abandoned the couple at approximately 3:00 AM in a layby, failing to ensure their safety or complete necessary welfare checks. The Police Ombudsman stated that the officers neglected to recognize the evident risks of leaving the vulnerable couple alone beside a busy road.

“I am really disgusted and ashamed of the behaviour of the Police Service of Northern Ireland on the night in question,” said Paul McQuillan in a press conference following the report’s release. He emphasized the shocking nature of leaving a young woman with a head injury and intoxicated in freezing conditions.

The family met with Police Ombudsman representatives today as the findings were made public. Mr. McQuillan highlighted the emotional devastation caused by the tragic incident, stating, “If I did it to a dog, I would probably do time for cruelty.” His resolute words underline the urgency of accountability in this heartbreaking case.

In response to the report, Assistant Chief Constable Anthony McNally acknowledged the failures of the police, stating, “We accept that more could and should have been done by police to prevent the circumstances that preceded Shannon’s death.” He offered sincere apologies to the families affected by this tragic incident.

The investigation revealed that police had first engaged with Shannon and Owen at a car park in Magherafelt around 2:00 AM, where Shannon was found unconscious. Despite her deteriorating condition, officers left her in the care of ambulance staff, only to be called back shortly after due to her erratic behavior.

After a brief discussion, the police allowed the couple to exit the ambulance and left them alone at a bus shelter on Moneynick Road. Just minutes later, at 3:38 AM, police received calls about two individuals walking in the road, leading to the devastating collision.

Despite high levels of alcohol detected in both individuals, the Ombudsman’s report emphasized that police failed to adequately assess the couple’s vulnerability, as both had previously sustained injuries before police intervention.

Furthermore, the Ombudsman noted that there were significant inconsistencies in accounts provided by police and ambulance staff regarding the events leading to Shannon’s death. The Police Ombudsman concluded there were “multiple breaches” in the duty of care owed to both Shannon and Owen.

In previous actions, Shannon’s family initiated civil proceedings against the PSNI and the Northern Ireland Ambulance Service, asserting that her death could have been avoided. Family solicitor Barry O’Donnell stated they would review the Ombudsman’s findings thoroughly.

As this tragic case continues to unfold, the police face scrutiny not only for their inadequate response but also for a lack of accountability. The Ombudsman’s chief executive, Hugh Hume, affirmed that more should have been done to protect the vulnerable young couple from harm.

What happens next remains to be seen, but the families affected by this tragedy are demanding justice and accountability for those who were meant to protect them. The community watches closely as the implications of this report resonate, bringing to light critical discussions on police responsibility in safeguarding vulnerable individuals.