The Murder of Seamus Ludlow in County Louth, May 1976. Towards a public inquiry?

 

 

 

 

 

 

3 July 2002 - The Irish Attorney General has directed the Coroner for County Louth to hold a fresh inquest into the death of Seamus Ludlow.  . . . . Please return for updates and important developments.    This photograph of Seamus Ludlow was taken later in his life.This is a youthful photograph of Seamus Ludlow, taken several years before his murder.This memorial stone marks the place where the dead body of Seamus Ludlow was discovered on Sunday 2nd. May, 1976. This new stone recently replaced another stone.

 

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The Dundalk Democrat,  20 June 1998:

Public enquiry called for into Ludlow murder

A Government public enquiry into the murder of a local man, Mr Seamus Ludlow, twenty years ago, was called for at the Louth County Council meeting on Monday in the Council Chambers, Dundalk.

Cllr. Tommy Reilly put forward the motion for an examination of all aspects surrounding the murder on the night of 1 or 2 May, 1976. Cllr. Sean Kenna seconded the motion.

Cllr. Reilly read out a profile to the meeting on the incident, in which it is alleged Gardai were taken off this murder investigation four weeks after the incident.

Gardai informed the Ludlow family, he stated, that the Provisional IRA were allegedly involved in the incident. A subsequent denial followed from the IRA and other sources alleged the British SAS were possibly involved in the murder.

"A cover up"

Cllr. Reilly stated the investigations into the murder were a "cover up and smear campaign by the Special Branch in Dundalk".

The alleged statement that the victim was an informer for British intelligence was a "further smear on his good name".

The case reopened three years ago when an investigative journalist found further information. Subsequently, senior members of the Special Branch headed to Belfast on 10 December last year to assist the RUC with their enquiries.

Four suspected Loyalists who were arrested and held in the North were later released without charge. A file was being prepared for the DPP. It is alleged Gardai were aware of this information in 1976.

Cllr. Sean Kenna said whatever the findings of the enquiry were, he hoped it would be the truth. "People were quick enough to lay blame on the Provisional IRA", he added. "This was a God-damn lie".

Cllr Reilly proposed the findings of the murder enquiry be published by the Irish or British Governments.

"The Worst Corruption"

Cllr Miceal O'Donnell said the victim was his neighbour. He was not a member of any organization, but was a prominent supporter of the Fine Gael party.

The councillor called on the Gardai involved who were "disgraceful" to be brought to court. "We pay our taxes because we need to be protected", he said.

The councillor was supporting the motion. "The sooner the worms are taken out from under the stones the better", he added. The families involved should have their names cleared. "The worst corruption is to tell a lie about a man", he said.

The councillor added the victim was a quiet man. Any collusion in the case would have to be addressed.

Keeping it "Under Wraps"

Cllr. Bernard Markey said there was a "push campaign2 in operation after the murder to "keep things under wraps". This was unfair. He stated the families concerned had been left in a "vacuum" for over twenty years and had been wronged.

He stated the Council should support a public enquiry. Cllr. Nicky McCabe also supported the motion.

 

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