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Fifty years after the murders of John Martin, Brian and Anthony Reavey in Whitecross their brother Eugene has won damages from the Ministry of Defence and the PSNI.
The brothers were shot by the UVF in their Greyhilla home in January 1976. John Martin and Brian died in the attack while Anthony died a month later.
Reavey sued both organisations for negligence, misfeasance in public office and trauma from the treatment he said he received from both parties after the attack.
While there was no admission of liability the PSNI agreed to pay him £175,000 and the MoD agreed £225,000.
Speaking outside the courthouse today Eugene Reavey said: " This is the day where I have to remember my mother and father and all the struggles they went through over the deaths of John Martin, Brian and Anthony,"
He added "It was encouraging that the chief constable apologised to us and noted that Brian, Anthony and John Martin were innocent victims"
Newry and Armagh MLA Justin McNulty, who attended the High Court on a number of days welcomed the outcome.
McNulty said: "Today's settlement comes more than 50 years after the shocking murders of John Martin, Brian and Anthony Reavey in their home at Whitecross. Not only did Eugene Reavey have to cope with the loss of his brothers in the worst circumstances imaginable, he was subjected to repeated harassment and abuse while his brothers' memories were tarnished by false claims that they were paramilitaries.
"I welcome the fulsome apology offered by Chief Constable Jon Boutcher and his acceptance of the failures of the RUC. While no settlement can undo the pain suffered by the Reavey family, this acknowledgement of the truth is an important moment. It should never have taken so long to reach this point.
"The strength and bravery shown by Eugene Reavey over the past five decades has been extraordinary. He knew his brothers were innocent and never stopped fighting for truth and justice, determined to clear their names. I was proud to stand with Eugene and his family in court today when this settlement was reached and to see them finally receive this long overdue acknowledgement - it is a proud day for the Reavey Family, and a proud day for Whitecross and South Armagh."
Newry and Armagh MLA Aoife Finnegan also welcomed the settlement. Finnegan said: "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.
"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.
"Collusion between British security forces and loyalist paramilitaries was not an aberration, but a defining feature of British state policy during the conflict.
Finnegan added: "Today's 'financial settlement' is a testament to their campaign to get truth and justice."
