A coroner has found that a police officer in Glenavy, County Antrim, was justified in shooting and killing a man after a vehicle chase in April 2003.

Neil McConville, 21, was shot in the chest and died as a result of his injuries.

On the basis of solid evidence, the automobile he was driving was being monitored for the safe transfer of a handgun.

Mr McConville was shot when his car collided with a police vehicle, raising the possibility that he may run over a downed officer.

This degree of force “was no more than absolutely necessary and hence justifiable” by the coroner, Judge Philip Babington.

He also said that “the operation was not planned and directed in such a way that it minimised to the fullest extent practicable the necessity for recourse to lethal force,”

Killed in Glenavy was a father-of-two, Mr. McConville.

Mr. McConville’s family expressed their disappointment in the coroner’s decision, saying they were “disappointed.”

Their lawyer, Padraig Muirigh, issued it.

A “series of severe failures” in the police operation, according to the coroner’s report, he claimed.

Neil’s death may have been prevented, and the McConville family needs time to process the results, he added.

In 2007, an investigation by the Police Ombudsman concluded that the officer who opened fire three times was justified in doing so in order to protect a fellow officer’s life..

Mr. McConville’s passenger was arrested on suspicion of having a sawn-off shotgun, and the charges were filed against him.

“We recognise that whatever the circumstances were, a man lost his life and we appreciate that this is a sad moment for everybody affected,” Assistant Chief Constable Alan Todd said in a statement following the judgement.

We accept today’s decision and will now take the time to examine it in further detail before making a final decision.

Our operating procedures for weapons operations have evolved significantly over the past 19 years, but where lessons can be learned and modifications can be implemented, we will do so.”