The Murder of Seamus Ludlow in County Louth, May 1976. Towards a public inquiry?
The Murder of Seamus Ludlow in County Louth, May 1976. Towards a public inquiry?
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Introduction to the murder of Seamus Ludlow and the official cover-up. Michael Cunningham investigation - 1978 The recent Campaign for Truth and Justice. Irish Victims Commission Report. Ludlow family's questions for the RUC (now the PSNI). Jim J. Kane's letter to the N I Human Rights Commission. Jim J. Kane's letter to the RUC Ludlow Family Letter to Bertie Ahern Other Ludlow Family Sites. |
The Argus, 27 August 1976: Inquest hears of North Louth shooting A coroner's jury was told at Dundalk on Thursday last that Seamus Ludlow, from Culfore, Mountpleasant, Dundalk, died on May 2 last from wounds caused by at least three bullets which had been fired at him from very close range. But apart from giving details of his injuries the inquest threw no further light on who might have murdered the 47 year old forestry worker or who was known as a quiet man with no connections with any political organisation. The inquest was held by Dr. T. E. Scully and the jury returned a verdict in accordance with the medical evidence, of death from shock and hemorrhage as a result of bullet wounds in the chest, right lung and liver. Evidence of identification was given by Sergt. J. Gannon, Dromad. Dr. J. F. Harbinson, State Pathologist, described the laneway at Culfore where the body was found. It was twenty yards off a minor road linking the main Dundalk-Newry road and Ballymascanlan. The body was lying on top of the ditch at the side of the lane, with an overcoat and jacket thrown over it. As the body was being transferred from that position, a bullet fell from the clothing. The clothing revealed a number of bullet holes with powder blackening indicating that they had been discharged at a distance of less than one foot. The pathologist said he concluded that the man was not shot where he was found as his shoes were remarkably clean and the laneway was muddy. This suggested that the shooting took place somewhere else and that he was carried and dumped there. In his opinion the fatal shot that went through his heart and liver had first penetrated his hand as he obviously held it up to defend himself. He did not think that the man could have shot himself. This concluded the evidence and when the jury had returned the verdict, the coroner (and) Inspector P. Farrelly, who represented the Gardai, passed a vote of sympathy with the relatives in which the jury joined.
I Homepage I I Top I I Press Coverage I I BIRW Report I The Dundalk Democrat, 8 May 1976: Mountpleasant man murdered in cold blood Grim discovery on a by-road The Dundalk Democrat, 8 May 1976: A brutal murder The Sunday Press, 9 May 1976: "Santa" NO CLUE Town is outraged. The Irish Press, 10 May 1976: Murder probe: no link with the SAS Gardai issue denial The Argus, 14 May 1976: Sympathy with murder victim The Argus, 14 May 1976: Louth murder: Provo statement The Dundalk Democrat, 15 May 1976: The Ludlow murder No fresh developments The Irish Independent, 16 May 1976: Murder Victim Wrong Man? The Sunday World, 16 May 1976: Mistaken identity theory in Santa Claus killing. He was the "double" of top Provo Monaghan County of Intrigue (1979) by the late Michael Cunningham: Quoting from Mr. Cunningham's account of his private investigation of Seamus Ludlow's murder. The Argus, special report 30 August 1985: On May 1st 1974, a forestry worker left his home to go for a drink: the following day his bullet riddled body was found. Nine years later we ask: WHO KILLED SEAMUS LUDLOW?
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