Loughinisland families seek fresh atrocity inquiry

Loughinisland families seek fresh atrocity inquiry

1 January 2013

THE families of the Loughinisland massacre victims have given a cautious welcome to the High Court quashing of a Police Ombudsman’s report into the killings.

Aidan O’Toole, the barman who survived the UVF attack at The Heights Bar in June 1994, said it was “good news” for the Christmas break, leaving them with hope for 2013.

Mr. Justice Treacy’s order to scrap the disputed findings and award legal costs to the families was made after new ombudsman Michael Maguire consented to the move — paving the way for a new investigation into the shootings.

Six men were killed and five seriously injured after the UVF opened fire as customers watched the Republic of Ireland take on Italy in the World Cup.

Last year’s Police Ombudsman’s report by Al Hutchinson found failings in the original RUC handling of the case but stopped short of finding collusion. The families, however, who suspect the investigation was undermined to protect informants, branded the report a whitewash and launched a judicial review.

Mr. O’Toole said he hoped the truth of what happened during the original investigation would now come out.

“We hope for it more so than expect it after the farce last year,” he said.

“All the families are giving a cautious welcome to this and hopefully Michael Maguire will get to the truth of what happened.”

Mr. O’Toole said they did not expect it to be long before the new investigation got underway, and that results were expected in 2013.

“We are starting off the New Year with some nice news,” he added.

Emma Rogan, whose father Adrian was among those killed, also spoke of her belief that the High Court ruling had vindicated the families’ position.

“It is a disgrace that the onus was put on us to take the Office of the Police Ombudsman to the High Court to drag the truth out of the facts that only his office are aware of,” she said.

“The conclusion of Al Hutchinson’s flawed report was that the complaint of collusion was ruled out due to insufficient evidence.

“The reason that there is insufficient evidence is that the RUC kept destroying the evidence.”

Mr. Justice Treacy’s decision has been welcomed by local politicians.

SDLP South Down MP Margaret Ritchie said the Ombudsman’s inquiry must be conducted in parallel to the ongoing PSNI investigation.

“The previous report posed more questions than it answered and pointed to collusion in the murder of six innocent catholic men,” she said. “Indeed the decision to reopen the case relates to statements made by a self-confessed UVF informer and a former RUC Detective.

“It is vitally important that the PSNI conduct their investigation in an expeditious manner.

“I have received confirmation that the PSNI investigation would not be impacted upon by the Ombudsman’s new review. The victim’s families have waited patiently to achieve justice and now finally the review and the PSNI investigation must provide that.”

Local Alliance councillor Patrick Clarke said: “Hopefully now the families will finally get the truth regarding the Loughinisland massacre and matters surrounding the original police investigation, the destruction of evidence, and collusion.

“I wish to commend the families for their long battle to get to the truth regarding the murder of their loved ones in the Heights Bar in Loughinisland in June 1994.”

Those shot at The Heights Bar included 87-year-old Barney Green, one of the oldest victims of the Troubles. Also killed were Adrian Rogan (34), Malcolm Jenkinson (53), Daniel McCreanor (59), Patrick O’Hare (35) and Eamon Byrne (39).

No one has been convicted of the murders, although 16 people have been arrested in connection with the attack.