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Loughinisland: Ombudsman confirms collusion between police and loyalist killers Loughinisland: Ombudsman confirms collusion between police and loyalist killers
(35 minutes later)
There was collusion between some police officers and loyalist gunmen who killed six Catholics 22 years ago, a report by NI's Police Ombudsman has said.There was collusion between some police officers and loyalist gunmen who killed six Catholics 22 years ago, a report by NI's Police Ombudsman has said.
It said there was no evidence police had prior knowledge of the Ulster Volunteer Force attack in Loughinisland, County Down, in 1994.It said there was no evidence police had prior knowledge of the Ulster Volunteer Force attack in Loughinisland, County Down, in 1994.
But it confirmed claims by the victims' families that there was collusion.But it confirmed claims by the victims' families that there was collusion.
It was also highly critical of the initial investigation, listing "catastrophic failings" by the police.It was also highly critical of the initial investigation, listing "catastrophic failings" by the police.
The murdered men were watching the World Cup match between Ireland and Italy when loyalist gunmen burst into the Heights Bar in Loughinisland and opened fire. Five others were wounded.The murdered men were watching the World Cup match between Ireland and Italy when loyalist gunmen burst into the Heights Bar in Loughinisland and opened fire. Five others were wounded.
The men who died were Adrian Rogan, 34, Malcolm Jenkinson, 53, Barney Greene, 87, Daniel McCreanor 59, Patrick O'Hare, 35, and Eamon Byrne, 39. The men who died were Adrian Rogan, 34, Malcolm Jenkinson, 53, Barney Green, 87, Daniel McCreanor 59, Patrick O'Hare, 35, and Eamon Byrne, 39.
The Police Ombudsman, Dr Michael Maguire, said: "I have no hesitation in saying collusion was a significant feature of the Loughinisland murders."The Police Ombudsman, Dr Michael Maguire, said: "I have no hesitation in saying collusion was a significant feature of the Loughinisland murders."
He said police informers were involved in the attack in Loughinisland, and that opportunities to gather evidence were missed.He said police informers were involved in the attack in Loughinisland, and that opportunities to gather evidence were missed.
The solicitor for the families, Niall Murphy, called on John Major, who was prime minister at the time of the killings, to apologise to the families.The solicitor for the families, Niall Murphy, called on John Major, who was prime minister at the time of the killings, to apologise to the families.
The report also said police were aware that a "small but ruthless" Ulster Volunteer Force (UVF) gang had been operating in south Down and had been involved in previous murders.The report also said police were aware that a "small but ruthless" Ulster Volunteer Force (UVF) gang had been operating in south Down and had been involved in previous murders.
It said that if they had been properly investigated that gang could have been brought to justice and may not have been involved in the Loughinisland attack.It said that if they had been properly investigated that gang could have been brought to justice and may not have been involved in the Loughinisland attack.
Dr Maguire confirmed that an assault rifle used in the attack was part of a huge consignment of South African weapons brought into Northern Ireland by loyalist paramilitaries in the late 1980s.Dr Maguire confirmed that an assault rifle used in the attack was part of a huge consignment of South African weapons brought into Northern Ireland by loyalist paramilitaries in the late 1980s.
Other weapons from the shipment were used in a least 70 murders and attempted murders.Other weapons from the shipment were used in a least 70 murders and attempted murders.
The report raised questions about why all the weapons were not intercepted as police "informants at the most senior levels within loyalist paramilitary organisations" were involved.The report raised questions about why all the weapons were not intercepted as police "informants at the most senior levels within loyalist paramilitary organisations" were involved.
For the past 22 years, the families of the victims have alleged that the police failed to investigate the killings properly because they were protecting informers.For the past 22 years, the families of the victims have alleged that the police failed to investigate the killings properly because they were protecting informers.
The Police Ombudsman said the Royal Ulster Constabulary (RUC) Special Branch had taken a "hear no evil, see no evil, speak no evil" approach to the use of informants.The Police Ombudsman said the Royal Ulster Constabulary (RUC) Special Branch had taken a "hear no evil, see no evil, speak no evil" approach to the use of informants.
The report said this "potentially frustrated the police investigation into the attack and restricted investigation opportunities and lines of enquiry".The report said this "potentially frustrated the police investigation into the attack and restricted investigation opportunities and lines of enquiry".
Among the failures listed in the 160 page report are:Among the failures listed in the 160 page report are:
The Ombudsman said many police officers worked tirelessly to bring those behind the Loughinisland attack to justice, but he was scathing about the overall approach.The Ombudsman said many police officers worked tirelessly to bring those behind the Loughinisland attack to justice, but he was scathing about the overall approach.
"My conclusion is that the initial investigation into the murders at Loughinisland was characterised, in too many instances, by incompetence, indifference and neglect," he added."My conclusion is that the initial investigation into the murders at Loughinisland was characterised, in too many instances, by incompetence, indifference and neglect," he added.
Emma Rogan, daughter of Adrian Rogan, said "today is one of mixed emotions".Emma Rogan, daughter of Adrian Rogan, said "today is one of mixed emotions".
"I'm thinking of my daddy and all those others who died," she said."I'm thinking of my daddy and all those others who died," she said.
"This report has vindicated our long-held suspicions."This report has vindicated our long-held suspicions.
"Our journey has been a very difficult one and we have travelled all around the world but we have been vilified at home but we have exposed collusion.""Our journey has been a very difficult one and we have travelled all around the world but we have been vilified at home but we have exposed collusion."
The Police Ombudsman's report concludes that the nature of the relationship between the police and informants "undermined the investigative process in a number of ways".The Police Ombudsman's report concludes that the nature of the relationship between the police and informants "undermined the investigative process in a number of ways".
He said his investigation established that Special Branch had intelligence that informants were engaged in a range of activities, including murder and conspiracy to murder.He said his investigation established that Special Branch had intelligence that informants were engaged in a range of activities, including murder and conspiracy to murder.
Dr Maguire also expressed concern that Special Branch continued to engage in a relationship with sources they indentified in intelligence reporting as likely to have been involved at some level in the Loughinisland attack.Dr Maguire also expressed concern that Special Branch continued to engage in a relationship with sources they indentified in intelligence reporting as likely to have been involved at some level in the Loughinisland attack.
Northern Ireland's Chief Constable George Hamilton said the report made "uncomfortable reading" particularly in relation to the alleged actions of police officers at the time.Northern Ireland's Chief Constable George Hamilton said the report made "uncomfortable reading" particularly in relation to the alleged actions of police officers at the time.
He added that the Police Service of Northern Ireland "fully supports the Office of the Police Ombudsman for Northern Ireland".He added that the Police Service of Northern Ireland "fully supports the Office of the Police Ombudsman for Northern Ireland".
While Dr Maguire's report contains thousands of words, the relatives of those killed in Loughinisland were very much focusing their attention on whether he would use just one word, collusion. He does.While Dr Maguire's report contains thousands of words, the relatives of those killed in Loughinisland were very much focusing their attention on whether he would use just one word, collusion. He does.
How collusion is defined is a thorny issue.How collusion is defined is a thorny issue.
During a previous investigation into claims of Garda (Irish police) collusion in the IRA murders of two senior Northern Ireland policemen, Irish Judge Peter Smithwick decided collusion could be established if there was action or inaction, things like "turning a blind eye" by an individual or police.During a previous investigation into claims of Garda (Irish police) collusion in the IRA murders of two senior Northern Ireland policemen, Irish Judge Peter Smithwick decided collusion could be established if there was action or inaction, things like "turning a blind eye" by an individual or police.
On that basis, Dr Maguire said: "Many of the individual issues I have identified in this report, including the protection of informants through wilful acts and the passive turning a blind eye, catastrophic failures in the police investigation and the destruction of police records are in themselves evidence of collusion as defined by Justice Smithwick."On that basis, Dr Maguire said: "Many of the individual issues I have identified in this report, including the protection of informants through wilful acts and the passive turning a blind eye, catastrophic failures in the police investigation and the destruction of police records are in themselves evidence of collusion as defined by Justice Smithwick."
This is the second report into the Loughinisland killings.This is the second report into the Loughinisland killings.
Five years ago the previous police ombudsman, Al Hutchinson, published a report which said the police had not properly investigated the killings.Five years ago the previous police ombudsman, Al Hutchinson, published a report which said the police had not properly investigated the killings.
But his report said there was insufficient evidence of collusion between the police and the Ulster Volunteer Force.But his report said there was insufficient evidence of collusion between the police and the Ulster Volunteer Force.
The families took legal action and in December 2012 the report's findings were quashed.The families took legal action and in December 2012 the report's findings were quashed.
Mr Hutchinson resigned shortly afterwards and his successor, Dr Michael Maguire, re-opened the investigation.Mr Hutchinson resigned shortly afterwards and his successor, Dr Michael Maguire, re-opened the investigation.