A judge who heavily criticised a watchdog probe into alleged police collusion in the Loughinland atrocity has been asked to withdraw from the case amid claims he held a subconscious bias. Two retired officers took judicial review proceedings against the ombudsman’s findings and judge McCloskey found in their favour in December. Fiona Doherty QC, representing the families, said the application was being made with regret and only after careful consideration. David McMillen QC, representing the retired officers, said the application was “absolutely without foundation”. He indicated that, if he decided to retain the case, he would then deliver his judgment on the fate of the ombudsman’s report.

Source: The Irish Times January 19, 2018 18:33 UTC