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Seven police officers in Northern Ireland have been disciplined over their handling of an investigation into the death of a County Antrim man two years ago.
Jim Heasley, who was 70, died ten days after being assaulted as he walked home from an evening out in Lisburn in October 2010. Police initially believed his injuries were the result of a fall.
In March of this year, 48-year-old Jackie Allen pleaded guilty to the pensioner's manslaughter.
An investigation by the police ombudsman found a series of failings in the initial police response.
Mr. Heasley's brother David said when he first saw his brother in hospital he knew the injuries were the result of an attack.
"They (the PSNI) were treating it, that a 70-year-old with a drink problem who had one fall too many, and that's as far as they were prepared to go on it," Mr. Heasley said.
"To say disappointed is an understatement, I was truly gutted at the response of the police and the whole family felt the exact same," he added.
"We were asking questions which the police weren't, and what made it even worse, the police actually gave this man (Jackie Allen) a lift home
after the assault," Mr. Heasley said.
In a statement, the PSNI said it had examined the police ombudsman's findings and had complied with its requirements.
"We recognize that there were failings in the initial police handling of this case and we have apologized to the family for that," the statement read.
"However, we are glad that, thanks to the subsequent thorough and focused police investigation, this case was brought to court and an individual has now received a custodial sentence in connection with Mr. Heasley's death."
