Simon Byrne quits as director of RUC / PSNI benevolent fund after leaving chief constable post

By Adam Kula
Published 19th Sep 2023, 15:07 BST
Watch more of our videos on Shots! 
and live on Freeview channel 276
Visit Shots! now
Ex-chief constable Simon Byrne has left the RUC George Cross – PSNI Benevolent Fund, the body which funnels financial aid to "the wider police family in Northern Ireland".

His resignation as a director of the not-for-profit company / charity comes after he quit as leader of the PSNI following the massive security breach which saw details of the force's officers accidentally made public.

His resignation from the benevolent fund follows a pattern; his predecessors George Hamilton and Matt Baggott also served as directors during their terms as chief constable and quit upon resigning.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

The fund says it provides "emergency assistance to those in financial hardship", as well as funding for rehabilitation.

A plaque honouring the RUC GCA plaque honouring the RUC GC
A plaque honouring the RUC GC

It is based at Garnerville Road in east Belfast, and is separate from the RUC George Cross Foundation, which exists to honour those officers hurt and killed during the Troubles and which is based at Knock Road.

• Doug Beattie says rumours of Windsor Framework power-grab 'vindicate my calls for revival of Stormont'