By Anne Marie Eaton

County Coroner Ronan Maguire has spoken out against second hand information he is receiving on vital aspects of the death of seamus Ludlow.

One of the bullets used in Seamus' murder is in the possession of the Gardai, however Mr Maguire has said he has yet to see a report on comparisons made with the bullet. "I have not been furnished with a report on the comparisons, if a report is available.

"I've been getting second hand information, but haven't seen a report."

He also added that he could not hand over a Garda report on Seamus' murder by now retired Chief Superintendent Ted Murphy, to the Ludlow family because of confidentiality.

At a preliminary hearing Mr Maguire set the date of September 5 for the opening of the inquest.

Seamus Ludlow was shot three times and his body dumped in a ditch close to his home in Mountpleasant on May 1 1976. Although initially his death was blamed on the IRA it has since been stated that he was killed by Loyalist Red Hand Commandos.

The Attorney General called for the second inquest having stated that the family were denied participation in the August 1976 inquest, important evidence was not available at that inquest and there were no forensic or ballistic reports furnished.

The County Coroner spoke on the suffering the Ludlow family have had to endure.

"It is incumbent on us to do the best we can for Seamus Ludlow. His family have waited an inordinate period of time and it is incumbent on everyone to try and get as much information as we can into the public domain."