A group of internees who became known as the 'Hooded Men' have been issued an apology by the PSNI Chief Constable for their treatment during interrogation more than 50 years ago.
The UK Supreme Court ruled several years ago that the methods used on them at the time of internment in 1971 amounted to torture by today's standards.
Fourteen individuals were selected from among the several hundred people detained at that time.
A number have since died including one, Joe Clarke, who passed away in recent days.
Watch: RTÉ Investigates: The Torture Files
The apology was issued to him on his deathbed last week in the presence of his wife.
The remaining members of the Hooded Men met a senior PSNI officer this morning when the apology was issued to them.
The men were subjected to various measures including hooding, sleep deprivation and being forced to stand in stressful positions.
While the military was responsible for picking up the men, it was police officers who carried out the interrogation.
In a statement, the PSNI expressed its sympathy to the family of Joe Clarke.
Detective Chief Superintendent Ian Saunders, Head of Legacy Investigation & Disclosure Branch said: "The Police Service has written to a number of individuals, including the late Mr Clarke, and the next of kin of deceased individuals of the ‘Hooded Men’.
"In this letter, we have acknowledged the findings of the United Kingdom Supreme Court that, by today’s standards, the treatment of these men at that time would likely be characterised as torture.
"The Police Service of Northern Ireland has formally apologised for the actions and omissions of police officers involved in their treatment whilst in police custody in 1971.
"The Police Service recognise the significant step taken today in issuing this apology. It is our view that this was the right thing to do to help give the ‘Hooded Men’ and their families recognition about how they were treated."
'Torturous treatment'
Also in a statement, the men's solicitor Darragh Mackin said: "The Hooded Men have fought a ten-year campaign for justice. Since their landmark victory before the Supreme Court in December 2021, we have engaged at the very highest level to try and find a resolution for our clients.
"Today, almost 18 months on, the PSNI have today issued our clients with a formal apology that recognises the torturous treatment to which our clients sustained.
"The publication of this apology comes after weeks of intense negotiation in which drew to a close in the days before Mr Joe Clarke tragically passed away.
"In the last days of his life, Mr Clarke was finally delivered closure in the form of an apology, for which he had long since campaigned."
The men said it was now time for the Ministry of Defence and the British government to also apologise.
'Too little too late'
Solicitors acting on behalf of two of the 'Hooded Men', Liam Shannon and Jim Auld, also issued a statement responding to the PSNI apology.
Both men said the apology should be followed by an apology from the British Government.
"This apology in some ways is too little too late. It ought to have been delivered long before now and is only coming on the back of latest legal challenges against the police over their failure to investigate the criminality of the State.
"We now call upon the PSNI to remove their objection to our judicial review challenge listed in a few weeks’ time.
"The apology was timed to try and influence the case. Any suggestion that we will stop our battle for a proper investigation is premature.
"We also now call upon the state to withdraw its insensitive attempt to stop our rightful claims for proper compensation for the horrendous treatment suffered by us."
