More than 100 PSNI officers and about 50 republicans are claiming compensation arising out of the break-in at Castlereagh police station six years ago.

The separate claims follow the theft of highly sensitive documents from Special Branch offices on St Patrick’s Day, 2002.

In the High Court yesterday a police officer’s test case against the Chief Constable was adjourned after Brian Fee, QC, said there was a prospect of progress in the case following discussions among the parties. The case is due for mention again on September 29.

Outside court a spokesman for some of the claimants said they were seeking damages for alleged nervous shock and the financial loss they claim to have suffered after being forced to move house.

Meanwhile, solicitor Kevin Winters confirmed that he is acting on behalf of about 50 republicans whose personal details were also on documents which were stolen.

“We have been instructed by a large number of people who want to take a civil action for damages following the loss of information relating to them by police at Castlereagh,” said Mr Winters.

“These people were told by the police that their details had gone missing following the loss of data.”