" data-large-file="https://madden-finucane.com/files/2026/03/rosemary-campbell-1024x764.webp" class="size-full wp-image-22558" src="https://madden-finucane.com/files/2026/03/rosemary-campbell.webp" alt="Rosemary Campbell" width="1200" height="895" /> Rosemary Campbell
The elderly widow of a murdered RUC officer has died without obtaining any resolution in her negligence claim against the police, the High Court heard today.
Counsel for the family of Sergeant Joseph Campbell said they feel "let down" by the PSNI's approach to litigation brought over allegations his killing could have been prevented.
A judge ordered lawyers representing the Chief Constable to agree on a date for a potential mediation process by next week.
Sergeant Campbell was shot dead as he closed his station in Cushendall in February 1977.
A Police Ombudsman inquiry found senior police commanders had information about a threat to the father-of-eight but failed to respond.
His widow, Rosemary Campbell, issued proceedings against the Chief Constable which first reached the High Court in Belfast last year.
She sought damages for alleged assault and battery, negligence, breach of statutory duty and misfeasance in public office.
But her barrister disclosed today that she passed away on Wednesday at the age of 91.
"She was anxious to have this resolved in her lifetime," Karen Quinlivan KC said.
The court heard Mrs Campbell's death followed repeated attempts to obtain financial reports and other information from the defendant.
Ms Quinlivan also claimed the Chief Constable previously sought a meeting to provide assurances that the case would be dealt with.
"The family feel pretty let down by this whole (approach)," counsel said.
"There is deep dissatisfaction at the manner in which the PSNI has conducted this over the last year."
Investigations into the circumstances surrounding Sgt Campbell's shooting suggested one possible motive may have been that he was about to expose criminals involved in gun smuggling from Scotland to Red Bay, near Cushendall.
During the early 1980s, an RUC Special Branch officer was charged with the murder, but was acquitted at trial. No one else has ever been prosecuted for killing the policeman.
In 2014, former Ombudsman, Dr Michael Maguire, identified reliable evidence that some of those within the RUC's command structure were aware of concerns about a threat against the victim.
He concluded that the dedicated community police officer and his family had been failed by senior members of the force.
At a previous hearing, it emerged that mediation had been offered as a potential alternative way of resolving the legal action.
According to Ms Quinlivan, however, the PSNI failed to respond after a possible mediator was suggested.
Extending condolences to Mrs Campbell's family, counsel for the Chief Constable acknowledged there were issues around finalising a forensic accountancy report and tracking down any criminal injury compensation payments made in the aftermath of the officer's murder.
Mr Justice Rooney indicated in response that a further consultation meeting was unnecessary.
Adjourning the case until Monday, he directed: "I want to be told that we have a mediator, a date for mediation and that the issue of compensation payments isn't going to be a problem."
You must be logged in to post a comment.