The PSNI has referred its handling of the of the tragic incident at a disco in Tyrone, in which three teenagers were crushed on St Patricks Day, to the Ombudsman.

Following the tragic event the PSNI has said it will be conducting an investigation, which will include a review of the initial police response.

The PSNI said in a statement this afternoon that further investigation is needed into the the timing and nature of police actions during this period to fully establish the facts.

Lauren Bullock, 17, Conor Currie, 16, and 17-year-old Morgan Barnard were all killed in an apparent crush during a disco at the at Greenvale Hotel in Cookstown, Co Tyrone.

The families have been informed of the referral to the Ombudsman.

Deputy Chief Constable Stephen Martin said in a statement, "Following their initial assessment they made attempts to establish more detail and information about what was happening and subsequently withdrew to await further police support."


"When the first ambulance arrived police moved forward in support of them."

"The timing and nature of police actions during this period require further investigation to fully establish the facts."

"The Chief Constable has therefore decided that the initial police response should be subject to independent scrutiny and it is in the public interest to refer the circumstances and the nature of the actions of the first officers arriving at the scene to the Police Ombudsman."

"The confidence of the families and the confidence of the communities we serve are at the forefront of our minds in our decision to refer this matter to the Police Ombudsman."

"We will work with the Ombudsman to support whatever action he undertakes and would ask that people do not speculate or prejudge the outcome of the Ombudsman’s investigation."