The report vindicates our beliefs these murders were covered up

The report vindicates our beliefs these murders were covered up

15 June 2016

EMMA Rogan, daughter of Adrian Rogan, killed aged 34 at Loughinisland.

“Today I am thinking about my daddy and my granda and all those murdered that awful night on the 18th of June when they went simply to watch a soccer match in their local pub.

“Today we finally have a report by the Police Ombudsman, at last, that vindicates our long-held suspicions and belief the truth about these murders was being covered up by the very people — the police — who were supposed to be protecting us, be on our side and investigate and bring to justice those responsible. 

“Incredibly the Police Ombudsman said that the activities of the UVF gang could and should have been disrupted by the police. After the attack we also found out that police officers not only failed catastrophically to investigate those suspected of being involved, they tipped them off and warned them of raids and arrests. They actively worked against the truth and justice.

“One of those suspected of killing our loved ones continued to work for the RUC Special Branch long after the atrocity. How can this be? 

“Teresa Villiers [Secretary of State] said that there was pernicious narratives being written about past atrocities and she referenced Loughinisland. Our journey has been a very difficult one and we have travelled all over the world to speak out and we have been well received and supported, however many of us have been vilified here at home for daring to speak out and challenge the State lies. But we have exposed collusion despite a previous Ombudsman’s report that sought to conceal the truth. We even had to go to court to have that report overturned. 

“That reference by Teresa Villiers is absolutely hurtful and was a deceitful attempt to rewrite the truth about what happened to our loved ones. 

“We call on her to retract and apologise to us today. It is now up to the British government to ensure that there is full accountability for the role of British Army intelligence and MI5 Secret Service for their part in providing the weapons used to kill our loved ones and hundreds of others.

“We need justice and accountability from those in authority.”