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PSNI Lacks Resources for McCartney Case Amid Urgent Call for Cybercrime Review
The Police Service of Northern Irelands request for a cybercrime review highlights critical resource shortages in managing serious cases involving child pornography, particularly the ongoing McCartney case.
- The Police Ombudsman for Northern Ireland (PONI) conducted an independent review of the Police Service of Northern Irelands handling of the McCartney case, revealing significant resource issues.
- PONI chief executive David Hume stated that the PSNIs cybercrime teams lack the necessary capacity to manage risks associated with cases like that of McCartney, who was arrested in 2016.
- Evidence from the McCartney case indicates that he was first detained at age 17 after indecent images of children were discovered on his mobile phone, raising serious concerns about child pornography.
Why It Matters
This situation underscores the urgent need for enhanced resources within the Police Service of Northern Ireland to effectively combat cybercrime and protect vulnerable populations from exploitation, reflecting broader challenges in law enforcement capabilities.