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Whitecross man Eugene Reavey has begun a civil case against the police and the Ministry of Defence at Laganside Courts in Belfast. He is claiming damages for negligence, misfeasance in public office and life-long trauma arising from how he was treated in the aftermath of the January 1976 murders of his three brothers.
John Martin, Brian and Anthony Reavey were murdered in their home in Whitecross by the Glenanne Gang in 1976. Reavey's case centres on his treatment in the wake of that attack and has been almost five decades in the making.
The case started yesterday 10 June. Speaking outside the courthouse Reavey said: "I've been waiting 50 years now for this, and we've got very, very shabbily treated by the state up up to now, so I'm putting my faith in my legal team and the KC and hopefully we will get the right outcome."
His legal representative Gavin Booth, Phoenix Law cited lack of funding for families to get the answers they deserve : "We need a proper means for these families to seek answers. That has not happened to date, and we finally have to drag the police and the mot to court kicking and screaming in order to get the answers."
The hearing heard that key MoD documents had not been provided to previous investigations into the Glenanne Gang murders, including the Historical Enquiries Team or Operation Denton. It emerged in court that those documents were only made available to Eugene Reavey's legal team despite two earlier police investigations into the killings.
Newry and Armagh MP Dáire Hughes and Newry and Armagh MLA Aoife Finnegan attended the opening day of proceedings in support of the Reavey family.
Hughes outlined the broader context of the Glenanne Gang's campaign. "Just over 50 years ago, John Martin, Brian and Anthony Reavey were brutally murdered in their home in Whitecross by the Glenanne Gang in a sectarian attack that targeted innocent men. The Glenanne Gang was responsible for a campaign of sectarian murder across Armagh, Tyrone and beyond, with up to 120 killings attributed to the group. Numerous reports, investigations and legal proceedings have also exposed deeply disturbing levels of collusion between the gang and British state forces, including members of the UDR and RUC."
The MP paid tribute to the family's perseverance. "Eugene Reavey and the wider Reavey family have shown immense courage, determination and dignity in their pursuit of truth and justice over the past five decades. Like every family bereaved during the conflict, they are entitled to truth, justice and acknowledgement. These are fundamental principles of the rule of law."
Finnegan said she was taken aback by the disclosure revelations. "I was shocked to learn that significant documents relating to the investigation of up to 120 murders carried out by the so-called Glenanne Gang were not disclosed to either the Historical Enquiries Team or Operation Denton during their investigations. It emerged in court today that important documents were only made available to Eugene Reavey's legal team despite two previous police investigations into these matters. This raises serious questions which must now be answered."
The Newry and Armagh MLA called for immediate action. "I am calling on both the PSNI and the Ministry of Defence to urgently address this issue and ensure that all relevant documentation is made available to investigators. These documents are central to the findings of Operation Denton and are linked to 11 murders, including the murders of the Reavey brothers."
Finnegan also paid tribute to Eugene Reavey's campaign. "I want to commend Eugene Reavey and his family for their tireless and unwavering campaign to uncover the truth. Their determination has been instrumental in bringing these issues before the courts and ensuring that difficult questions continue to be asked."
Justin McNulty MLA was also present on the day in support of Eugene and the Reavey family. "It was an honour to be in court today to support my friend Eugene Reavey and his family and to be there with so many other people who have suffered at the hands of the murderous Glenanne Gang. It was powerful to see so many well-wishers who have supported Eugene's quest for truth and justice for close to half a century."
Mr McNulty paid tribute to the family's conduct throughout what has been an extraordinarily prolonged pursuit of justice. "Eugene and his family despite their pain have exhibited only immense dignity, resilience and determination. Their day in court has come and the evidence as presented was overwhelming."
The MLA said he hoped the court would now deliver what the family had long sought. "I hope that the Court will deliver the full truth and the justice that Eugene and his Family have for so long truly deserved."
