Write a commentNewry and Armagh MLA Justin McNulty joined families of victims of the Glenanne Gang sat the High Court today to hear Judge Tracy give his judgement in a case which put the PSNI in the spotlight.
The Judicial Review challenged the PSNI's decision to stop the Historical Enquiries Team review into the loyalist gang who carried out a series of bombings and shootings in the 1970's.
Speaking following the ruling, Mr McNulty said "Judge Treacy has given judgement that there has been a Violation of the Families' Article 2 Rights in terms of how the murders relating to the Glenane Gang were investigated. He found that the PSNI employed illegal measures to obstruct the HET in completing their investigations into this series of murders.
"This is collusion in its rawest form, both in the past and right up to the present day. Those who were responsible for upholding law and order failed in their duty. They colluded with the Glenanne gang in the 1970’s in the murder of 135 people in the 'murder triangle'. They have sought to prevent justice up in the present day. The victims’ families have fought tooth and nail to get truth and justice and are indebted to the work of Darragh Mackin and Peter Corrigan from Kevin Winters Law Firm.
"This community has suffered terrible pain, inflicted by the state and by paramilitary organisations. Many families are crying out for justice, and have been forced to turn to the courts just to get to the truth of what happened to their loved ones. This is scandalous."
Eugene Reavey who's three brothers were murdered by the gang put on record his gratitude for the support of Séamus Mallon and Dominic Bradley over the last 40 years.
Mr McNulty concluded "I want to congratulate the Barnard Family, Eugene Reavey and his family and all the other families who have shown unbelievable determination to make this day happen. Whatever the families decide to do from here I support them fully."
