Separate investigations were carried out by the PSNI and the Police Ombudsman into the circumstances surrounding the deaths of 17-year-olds Morgan Barnard and Lauren Bullock and 16-year-old Connor Currie while attending a St Patrick’s Day event at the venue.

The PSNI reported 11 individuals to the PPS for consideration and the Police Ombudsman reported five police officers. The PPS has decided to prosecute two of those investigated by police, along with a company.

Darragh Mackin of Phoenix Law, solicitor for Morgan Barnard’s family, said the announcement is “a welcome development in what has been a prolonged campaign by our clients for truth and justice for the events at the Greenvale Hotel”, but criticised the decision not to prosecute any police officers.

Two men, aged 55 and 43, are each to be charged with three counts of gross negligence manslaughter — one charge for each of the deaths. Prosecutors also intend to charge the same two individuals with one offence of contravening the Health and Safety at Work (Northern Ireland) Order 1978.

In addition to these prosecutions, the company which runs the Greenvale Hotel, known as Tobin Limited, will also face one charge of contravening the same health and safety legislation.

Decisions not to prosecute were taken in relation to the remaining nine individuals reported by police and also the five police officers investigated by the Police Ombudsman for their actions while responding to events at the Greenvale Hotel.

Senior public prosecutor Graham Cardwell said: “The loved ones of Morgan Barnard, Lauren Bullock and Connor Currie have suffered a painful loss. I acknowledge that today may be one of mixed emotions for these families as they continue to live with the aftermath of such deeply distressing events.

“The files received from the PSNI and the Police Ombudsman were voluminous and detailed and there were a considerable number of complex issues that required careful consideration. I am grateful to the families for their patience as the PPS took the time needed to complete the significant task of examining all available evidence before reaching decisions on whether there was a reasonable prospect of conviction in relation to each suspect.

“I have informed the families that whilst the test for prosecution was met in respect of two suspects, it was considered not to be met on evidential grounds in respect of all other individuals reported in connection with events at the Greenvale Hotel that night.

“Detailed reasons for these decisions not to prosecute have been provided in writing to the families and we have also offered to meet in person. Whilst some of the no prosecution decisions may be disappointing to them, I can reassure the families, and the wider public, that all decisions were taken independently and only after a most thorough examination of all evidence and information available. PPS prosecutors were assisted in this task by advice from independent senior counsel.

“Criminal proceedings will commence in due course and we will continue to engage directly with the families involved as the prosecution progresses.”

Responding to the announcement, Mr Mackin said: “Whilst today is a positive step in the right direction, it comes with a disappointing development, insofar as the decision not to prosecute those Police Officers in question.

“It is difficult to square the circle of the PPS decision with the facts of this case. This decision does not provide a clean bill of health for those officers’ actions at the centre of this investigation. For those reasons, there remain important questions unaddressed within the decision making process.

“The family do not accept the rational of the PPS decision, and for those reasons, we are instructed to immediately engage with the PPS in seeking an urgent review of the decision not to prosecute.”