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Loughinisland massacre - the background Loughinisland: A night watching a World Cup match that ended in terror.
(35 minutes later)
The Heights Bar in the village of Loughinisland is the kind of tiny rural pub that peppered the countryside across Northern Ireland.The Heights Bar in the village of Loughinisland is the kind of tiny rural pub that peppered the countryside across Northern Ireland.
On 18 June 1994, a few regulars had just finished watching the Republic of Ireland's footballers beat Italy in the World Cup.On 18 June 1994, a few regulars had just finished watching the Republic of Ireland's footballers beat Italy in the World Cup.
Just after 22:00 BST, two gunmen from the loyalist Ulster Volunteer Force (UVF), one armed with an AK47 and the other with a Czech-made rifle, walked inside and began firing indiscriminately.Just after 22:00 BST, two gunmen from the loyalist Ulster Volunteer Force (UVF), one armed with an AK47 and the other with a Czech-made rifle, walked inside and began firing indiscriminately.
Six men were killed instantly.Six men were killed instantly.
Killers laughedKillers laughed
They were 34-year-old Adrian Rogan, Malcolm Jenkinson, 53, Barney Greene, 87, Daniel McCreanor, 59, Patrick O'Hare, 35, and Eamon Byrne, 39.They were 34-year-old Adrian Rogan, Malcolm Jenkinson, 53, Barney Greene, 87, Daniel McCreanor, 59, Patrick O'Hare, 35, and Eamon Byrne, 39.
All were Catholic civilians. Mr Greene was one of the oldest people to be killed in the Northern Ireland Troubles.All were Catholic civilians. Mr Greene was one of the oldest people to be killed in the Northern Ireland Troubles.
Witnesses said that the killers laughed as they ran to their getaway car.Witnesses said that the killers laughed as they ran to their getaway car.
In the immediate aftermath of the shooting, the brother of the bar owner described how the dead were "piled on top of each other".In the immediate aftermath of the shooting, the brother of the bar owner described how the dead were "piled on top of each other".
"We are still in a state of complete numbness. My head is just saturated with the thought of it all. My feelings for these poor families," Keiron O'Toole said."We are still in a state of complete numbness. My head is just saturated with the thought of it all. My feelings for these poor families," Keiron O'Toole said.
He also rubbished claims by the UVF that the bar had been hosting a republican meeting.He also rubbished claims by the UVF that the bar had been hosting a republican meeting.
ExplanationExplanation
"That is absolute nonsense. This was a mixed pub, Protestant and Catholic came in, no-one cared what religion they were."That is absolute nonsense. This was a mixed pub, Protestant and Catholic came in, no-one cared what religion they were.
"There was just a complete attempt to kill Catholics and who ever else happened to be in the bar among them.""There was just a complete attempt to kill Catholics and who ever else happened to be in the bar among them."
The UVF's explanation for the attack was also dismissed angrily by unionist politicians.The UVF's explanation for the attack was also dismissed angrily by unionist politicians.
"Obviously these people are psychopaths - nothing short of it," an Ulster Unionist councillor said."Obviously these people are psychopaths - nothing short of it," an Ulster Unionist councillor said.
"I feel shocked and disgusted to think that these people call themselves loyalists.""I feel shocked and disgusted to think that these people call themselves loyalists."
Senior police officers had their own views on the reason for the murders - a random sectarian attack in response to other killings.Senior police officers had their own views on the reason for the murders - a random sectarian attack in response to other killings.
Two days previously, republican terror group the Irish National Liberation Army had killed three UVF members in Belfast.Two days previously, republican terror group the Irish National Liberation Army had killed three UVF members in Belfast.
The following day, the UVF responded by killing a Catholic taxi driver and later two Protestants, they believed to be Catholic.The following day, the UVF responded by killing a Catholic taxi driver and later two Protestants, they believed to be Catholic.
They then turned their attention to the County Down bar.They then turned their attention to the County Down bar.
No-one has ever been convicted over the Loughinisland attack and the families of those who died became concerned about the investigation.No-one has ever been convicted over the Loughinisland attack and the families of those who died became concerned about the investigation.
In 2006, they lodged an official complaint with the police ombudsman, who has the power to investigate the actions of police in Northern Ireland throughout the Troubles.In 2006, they lodged an official complaint with the police ombudsman, who has the power to investigate the actions of police in Northern Ireland throughout the Troubles.
The families said they were prompted by revelations that linked the gang with at least one person who was an agent of the security forces.The families said they were prompted by revelations that linked the gang with at least one person who was an agent of the security forces.
They were also concerned that the getaway car used by the killers was destroyed by police ten months after the shootings and not retained for evidential purposes.They were also concerned that the getaway car used by the killers was destroyed by police ten months after the shootings and not retained for evidential purposes.
The ombudsman's report has been delayed on several occasions.The ombudsman's report has been delayed on several occasions.
It had been scheduled for publication in 2009, but was postponed after new material came forward.It had been scheduled for publication in 2009, but was postponed after new material came forward.
Relatives of those who died were strongly critical of the original ombudsman report when it was finally published in 2011.Relatives of those who died were strongly critical of the original ombudsman report when it was finally published in 2011.
It found that the police did not properly investigate the killings but said there was no evidence of collusion between police and the UVF paramilitaries who carried out the attack.It found that the police did not properly investigate the killings but said there was no evidence of collusion between police and the UVF paramilitaries who carried out the attack.
The report's findings were later quashed by Belfast High Court and a fresh investigation was opened by the ombudsman.The report's findings were later quashed by Belfast High Court and a fresh investigation was opened by the ombudsman.
In 2014, one of the survivors, Colm Smyth, called on those responsible to come forward.In 2014, one of the survivors, Colm Smyth, called on those responsible to come forward.
A police reservist was arrested and questioned over perverting the course of justice and withholding information in 2010.A police reservist was arrested and questioned over perverting the course of justice and withholding information in 2010.
After considering the charges against him, the Public Prosecution Service said there was insufficient evidence and it would not be proceeding with a court case.After considering the charges against him, the Public Prosecution Service said there was insufficient evidence and it would not be proceeding with a court case.