The Irish News, 30 April 2001
Loyalist victim is remembered
By Ciara Rooney
THE family of a Co Louth man murdered by loyalists 25 years ago have renewed
their calls for a public inquiry into his death. Dozens of friends and relations
of Catholic bachelor Seamus Ludlow yesterday crammed into the country lane north
of Dundalk where his body was found on May 2, 1976.
Mr Ludlow was shot dead after being abducted by a loyalist gang on his way home
from a local pub.
His relatives have since fought for a public inquiry into his murder,
alleging that the RUC and Gardai may have been involved in a cross-border cover
up of the killers' identities.
Mr Ludlow's nephew, Michael Donegan, who was 20 when his uncle was murdered,
yesterday said the family would continue their campaign for an independent
investigation.
He insisted that a proposed private investigation, headed by Justice Barron,
would be "inadequate".
"A private inquiry is simply not enough because it means the family will
not be made aware of the documentation which comes to light," said Mr
Donegan.
"Four people were arrested in 1988 in connection with my uncle's
disappearance and we have never been told why charges were not brought against
them. A public inquiry is the only vehicle which will provide the answers."
Mr Donegan vowed that he and his family would continue their campaign.
"We decided to hold this commemoration service today because 25 years is a
significant number and in some ways signals the end of an era," he said.
" But this does not mean we are putting an end to our search for a public
inquiry and we will never lose hope."
Mr Donegan also revealed that the north's Police Ombudsman Nuala O'Loan had
agreed to review the RUC's investigation into the murder, although he admitted
that it was unclear whether she would have the power to reopen an investigation
into a murder which happened 25 years ago.
"The ombudsman has expressed her commitment to the case but we are not sure
if the murder falls within her remit," he said.
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