MP Concerned about delays with Ombudsmans Report into Loughinisland Murders

MP Fears step down in Loughinisland Murder Investigation at all levels is politically convenient

Speaking on the day that the investigation into the UVF Killing of six  men in The Heights Bar Loughinisland has been handed to the Historical enquiry team, and will become a “cold case” the MP for South Down Eddie McGrady speaks about his serious concerns regarding the Police Ombudsman’s investigation into the murders.

“After several years approaching conclusion under the Ombudsmanship of Nuala O’Loan and continuous contact with her and her office, I was advised in June 2008 that “The substantive investigation has now been completed”, it was “anticipated” that all elements of the report would be made available after September 2008 and that imminent action was expected on the police investigation. However a year on and the Ombudsman’s office are telling me the investigation is “not yet complete”.

The families involved have been waiting many years for the recommendations of this report to be made public and I am concerned that nearly a year after the investigation was drawing to a close the Ombudsman’s office has failed to deliver.

My fear that this delay by the Ombudsman office was politically convenient in the circumstances has been heightened with the announcement that the investigation is to become a “cold case” under the historical investigations team, on the day that the UVF appear to have committed to decommissioning.

The families of those murdered need answers now, and this investigation must not be used to facilitate the political process.