RUC Officer A won’t face Glenanne 10 murders trial
A FORMER RUC man will not face trial over the Troubles murders of 10 people, victims’ families were told yesterday.
The Public Prosecution Service said there was not enough evidence to prosecute Officer A.
The gun and bomb attacks linked to the UVF Glenanne Gang mostly took place in Co Armagh throughout the 1970s.
The PPS said the “hearsay” evidence wouldn’t offer a reasonable prospect of conviction.
Assistant Director Martin Hardy added: “Although we understand that this will be deeply disappointing to [the families], we have assured them these decisions were taken only after a rigorous evaluation of all the evidence reported by investigators.
DISTRESS
“We are mindful of the continuing pain and distress of the families who have lived with the loss of their loved one for many decades.”
The deaths include that of Thomas Mcnamee, who was injured in an blast at Crossmaglen in 1974 and died almost a year later.
They also included the murders of Colm Mccartney and Sean Farmer at Altnamackin in 1975 and the murders of Trevor Brecknell, Patrick Joseph Donnelly, and Michael Francis Donnelly in 1975 at Silverbridge.
And they included the shooting of brothers Anthony, John Martin and Brian Reavey at their home in Whitecross in 1976, and the death of Patrick Mone in an explosion in Castleblayney, Co Monaghan, the same year.
Mr Brecknell’s son Alan said the decision was “deeply disappointing but not surprising”.
He added: “The RUC was well aware of the identities of those who carried out these attacks while at the same time making sure not to carry out anything resembling a proper investigation.
“Rarely has the phrase justice delayed is justice denied rung more true.”