Police accused of colluding in Loughinisland pub massacre
15/06/2006 - 13:27:52
The families of the six Catholic men murdered by loyalist paramilitaries during the 1994 World Cup have said publicly for the first time that they believe the police colluded in the massacre.
The victims, aged between 34 and 87, were shot dead by a gang of UVF gunmen who opened fire inside a pub in Loughinisland, Co Down, while locals were watching Ireland play Italy on television.
The families of those killed said today that they believe a police informer was involved in the massacre and is still being protected from justice.
Emma Rogan was just eight when her father Aidan was killed in the attack.
She told reporters today that she was determined to find out the truth.
“We want to now how high does this collusion go. Six innocent men that didn’t do anyone any wrong in their entire lives were wiped off the face of the earth because somebody, somewhere said go and do it.
“We want to know why.”
The solicitor representing the families, meanwhile, said no explanation had ever been given as to why the getaway car used in the attack was destroyed by police only two years after the murders.
“The fact that it was destroyed creates inherent suspicion,” Niall Murphy said.
“I can think of no reasonable reason why any police officer would destroy such a massive exhibit that must have contained a wealth of evidential product.
“I find it preposterous that such an exhibit would be destroyed in a mass murder inquiry of this size.”
