15 November 2005: The family of the murdered Belfast human rights solicitor Pat Finucane met with Dermot Ahern TD for Louth, and Minister for Foreign Affairs, in Dublin. 

Daily Ireland (16 November) reports:

Speaking after yesterday’s meeting, Mr Finucane’s former business partner and family solicitor Peter Madden told Daily Ireland that the Irish government had been urged to consider taking legal action against the British government.
Mr Madden said there appeared to be two options available to the British government. The first was to establish an inquiry under the Inquiries Act. The second was to announce that a proper inquiry could not now take place without the involvement of the Finucane family.
“We made it very clear to the minister that the family are not going to take part in any inquiry established under the new act,” said Mr Madden.
“The new act removes control away from a panel of judges and places it into the hands of a minister in the government which stands accused in this case.
“The family have asked the Irish government to continue supporting them in whatever stand they take in the time ahead.
“The minister made it clear that the British had violated the Weston Park agreement in relation to Pat’s case and in relation to not following Judge Cory’s recommendations.
“He pledged the Irish government’s continued support for the family.”
Mr Madden said the Irish government had not ruled out mounting an international legal challenge against its British counterpart . . .

Mr Ahern has shown no such support for his constituents in the Ludlow family. He and Taoiseach Bertie Ahern have never formally met with the Ludlow family to discuss their concerns, and their government has yet to agree to demands for public inquiries in Dublin on this and the other cases involving collusion with loyalists in the murder of Irish citizens in the 26 Counties. 

Given this poor track record in their own jurisdiction, the British authorities will not be unduly worried by criticisms from Mr Ahern and his government. 

They should lead by example and shame the British government into finally doing right by the Finucane family and the other victims of collusion in the North.

The Ludlow family fully supports the demands of the Finucane family for truth and justice for their murdered husband and father. Their case is a damning indictment of British policy in Ireland.

See also: Daily Ireland, 16 November 2005: Finucanes call for lawsuit for the full text of the article quoted above.

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13 November 2005, Read this short article from The Sunday World (Northern edition), by Jim Campbell Truth is out there

Mr Campbell asks if loyalists got away with murder in the 26 Counties because of garda incompetence or because of garda collusion with the RUC in the protection of agents within the death squads. Though Seamus Ludlow is mentioned, the main focus of the article is on the sectarian murder of Christy Phelan, near Sallins, County Kildare, yet another forgotten loyalist atrocity in the 26 Counties.

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11 November 2005: Read four excellent articles about the publication of the Barron Report on the murder of Seamus Ludlow from the local Argus newspaper, Dundalk, published today:

 Four suspected of killing named

 Family’s call for a full public inquiry remains unchanged

“We’re overjoyed all we wanted was truth of killing to emerge”

Gardai were ordered to ‘abandon’ plans to interview four suspects

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8 November 2005: In a disturbing development for the families of victims of British state killings, and victims of collusion with loyalist death squads, unionists have been assured that members of the British army and police forces arrested for crimes before the Belfast Agreement will be treated the same way as republican 'on-the-runs' who are allowed to return to the North without prosecution. 

As the British government prepares to unveil its controversial proposals the Northern Ireland Secretary insisted no one should be treated like a second-class citizen under the judicial process. 

He, of course, ignored the fact that Britain's killers in Ireland - including the suspected UDR killers of Seamus Ludlow - have always been protected against the prospect of facing the judicial process. Time and time again soldiers and police have avoided prosecution, and the murder of Irish civilians has never been seen to ruin a soldier's career in the British forces.

Disgracefully, Britain's Secretary of State, Mr Peter Hain today said: "Any member of the security forces who might find themselves charged of crimes pre-1998, should not suffer any discrimination compared with those involved in paramilitary activity, loyalist or republican, who benefit from the scheme and come through out on licence." 

"This is a proper judicial scheme and members of the security forces should at least be treated equally."

The fact remains that British forces and their agents in Ireland have never been "treated equally" with republican paramilitaries. There are no British Army or RUC 'on-the-runs', so there can be no equivalence with those who have always faced the possibility of arrest and prosecution.

Mr Hain's raising of this issue will surely enrage the many relatives of the victims of British state killing in Ireland, who will now see their loved-ones murderers protected by law.

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8 November 2005: See report from today's Irish Times newspsaper: Ludlow family seeks sworn public inquiry where a Ludlow family statement is explained. 

See also: The Dundalk Democrat, 9 November 2005: Full public inquiry is Ludlow aim

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8 November 2005: See The Belfast Telegraph report of a press release from Margaret Urwin, Secretary of Justice for the Forgotten, press: Victims group questions report into loyalist killing:

A key finding of the Barron Report into the murder of Seamus Ludlow by loyalists does not "hold water", a victims' group spokeswoman said today.

Margaret Urwin from the Justice For The Forgotten organisation, which represents people in the Republic who have suffered from bombings and shootings, queried Irish judge Henry Barron's findings on the failure of gardai to interview four suspects in the Ludlow murder.

The RUC disclosed the suspects' identities to the southern authorities in 1979 and Mr Justice Barron found that the "only credible explanation" was because they did not want to set a precedent of closer co-operation with the RUC during interviews.

Ms Urwin said she did not accept the reasons given in the Barron Report for the quashing of Garda Detective Superintendent Dan Murphy's request for permission to speak to the suspects by his superiors in Garda headquarters. . .

To read the whole Belfast Telegraph report go here.>>>

To read the press release from Justice for the Forgotten go here.>>>

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5 November 2005: In a Belfast Telegraph exclusive report, Michael McHugh, spoke to Paul Hosking, one of the four loyalist suspects named by Mr Justice Henry Barron in his private inquiry report that was published under parliamentary privilege by an oireachtas committee on Thursday.

Mr Hosking admits to have been present when Seamus Ludlow was murdered, but he maintains his innocence of the crime.

In an extraordinary statement Mr Hosking:

said he was tired of having the finger pointed at him and added that he may make a submission to the Irish Justice Committee, which will consider the report in January.

"This has been going on for years and I am fed up with it," he said. "I feel like I am the victim, it is awful for my family and they have gone through hell."

While the Ludlow family is sorry to hear that Mr Hosking's family has suffered, he should be reminded that the victims here are the murdered Seamus Ludlow and his family who have lived through almost thirty years of loss and pain, aggravated by lies and smears which helped keep him and his companions free from justice. 

To read the article go here >>>

See also: The News of the World, 6 November 2005: I'm no killer, says 'branded' UDA man Loyalist hits at Report; and The Sunday Life, 6 November 2005: 'Murder car' man feels like a victim

Daily Ireland,  5 November 2005: Ludlow suspect in swap deal

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5 November 2005: Writing in today's Irish Independent, Maurice Hayes, commenting on the publication of the Barron Report on Thursday, concludes with the suggestion:

Maybe the time has come to draw a line under the past to agree to a closure of the books and to move on from there.

While kind advice is always welcome, Mr Hayes should know that the Ludlow family takes advice from their legal representative and their friends, and not from columnists in the Irish Independent who know nothing of the loss this family has suffered.

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5 November 2005: Read this important Editorial from The Irish News: Ludlow family deserve justice

See also: The Irish Independent - Editorial, 5 November 2005: A different country; and The Irish Independent, 5 November 20095: Garda chief vows to clear his name in Ludlow probe inquiry

The Irish Examiner, 5 November 2005: Wren rejects claims of links to Ludlow case

The Irish Times,  5 November 2005: Wren rejects claim on role in Ludlow inquiry

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4 November 2005: See  this report from LMFM Radio:

Ludlow family not ruling out legal action against Gardai

The family of loyalist murder victim Seamus Ludlow say they haven’t ruled out taking legal action against the Gardai. The 47 year old forestry worker was shot dead by members of the Ulster Defence Regiment in May 1976, close to his home at Thistle Cross, outside Dundalk. A report published yesterday evening, revealed that even though the killers’ identies were known this side of the border 18 months later, no action was taken, for fear that the IRA would attack the Gardai for co-operating with the RUC. Seamus Ludlow’s brother, Kevin, says they could still take legal action.

See also, the following press coverage of yesterday's publication of the private Barron Report:

The Irish Times, 4 November 2005: Ludlow report criticises Garda investigation

The Irish Times, 5 November 2005: A quiet man known for his charity

The Irish Times, 4 November 2005: 'If the IRA had killed him we would have been treated better

The Irish Times, 4 November 2005: Former senior Garda officers may be called to Oireachtas committee

The Irish Times, 4 November 2005: Former Garda chief threatens action

The Irish Times, 4 November 2005: Former Garda chief criticised murder investigation

The Irish Times, 4 November 2005: Garda stopped from quizzing suspects

The Irish Independent, 4 November 2005: Ludlow family insists public inquiry is crucial for justice

The Irish Independent, 4 November 2005: Security concerns 'halted murder pursuit'

BBC News online: 4 November 2005: Call for public inquiry into 1976 murder

RTE News online, 4 November 2005: Wren rejects Barron report finding

The Irish Sun, 4 November 2005: Storm as Ludlow report is revealed

Daily Ireland, 4 November 2005: Ludlow relatives accuse authorities of not pursuing killers because of fear of upsetting British Family lashes government

The Irish News, 4 November 2005: Ludlow murder 'a random sectarian killing

Irish Daily Star, 4 November 2005: No result in death probe Gardai ignored RUC tip on loyalist killers of Louth man

The Belfast Telegraph, 4 November 2005 Relatives of man killed by loyalists urge police action probe

The Irish Examiner - Editorial, 4 November 2005: Family needs a full-scale inquiry

The Irish Examiner, 4 November 2005: Report critical of handling of Ludlow case

The Irish Examiner, 4 November 2005: 'We think this goes right to Cabinet level'

The Irish News, 5 November 2005: Ludlow family call for public inquiry into death

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ireland.com, 3 November 2005: Ludlow murder was 'random sectarian killing' - Barron

UTV news online, 3 November 2005: 'Barron report to be published'

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2 November 2005: The following appeared on the Dundalk El Paso Times website. The report confirmed intense speculation that the Barron Report was about to be published. The Ludlow family was hearing reports from journalistic sources that the Barron Report would be published either Thursday or Friday.

The El Paso Times  site reports:

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29 October 2005: From the Dundalk-based Elpaso Times website:

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26 October 2005: The following welcome news was reported on the website of the local LMFM Radio station:

Taoiseach says report into Ludlow killing to be published soon

The Taoiseach has told the Dail that the Barron Report into the murder of County Louth man Seamus Ludlow is likely to be published in the next few weeks. Mr Ludlow was found dead at Ballymascanlon, close to the border with County Armagh, after he was picked up by a U-V-F gang in Dundalk in the summer of 1976. Members of the Gardai are expected to come in for critcism in the report.

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25 October 2005: Supporters of justice can now make a donation to our Seamus Ludlow Appeal Fund in return for a copy of a special music CD produced by kind supporters of the Ludlow family campaign. 

The CD features as its leading track An Ode To Seamus Ludlow written exclusively for the CD by Phil McCabe and brought to you by the voice talents of Tom Moore. To Phil and Tom and to all who helped produce this excellent CD, a sincere vote of thanks.

If you are a lover of good Irish music and you would like to contribute to our Seamus Ludlow Appeal Fund just send an e-mail to tam@thebhoys01.freeserve.co.uk for details about how to get a copy of the CD.

Find out more.>>>

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16 October 2005: See today's Sunday World (Northern edition only) for journalist John Keane's detailed report on thre murder of Seamus Ludlow: 30 years on - secrets behind an evil killing Gardai blamed IRA gang.

John Keane had written about the murder of Seamus Ludlow for the Sunday World back in May 1976, when he was one of the few journalists to speculate that this was a loyalist sectarian killing in County Louth. (John Keane's original 1976 Sunday World report can be accessed from this site's Press Coverage page.)

30 September 2005: See today's Dundalk Argus report Minister raised Ludlow murder with NI Secretary, where it is confirmed that Foreign Affairs minister Dermot Ahern has raised the Seamus Ludlow murder with the British Secretary of State in Belfast.

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28 September 2005: RTE News reports that Foreign Affairs Minister Dermot Ahern, who is also TD for County Louth, says the still unpublished Barron report into the May 1976 murder of Seamus Ludlow raises serious questions

There are still no indications as to when the Barron Report, received by the Dublin government in October 2004, is to be published.

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23 September 2005: See important article on the Ludlow Murder Cover-up, from The Phoenix, a Dublin news magazine:

Ludlow had been shot by a British counter-insurgency loyalist proxy gang based in Newtownards and controlled by the MRF (Military Reaction Force) - forerunners of the notorious FRU (Force Research Unit). They had been tasked with killing a Catholic (since deceased) who had ostensibly gone on the run after weapons were discovered near his Co. Down home. This individual was in fact an MRF agent sent south to infiltrate the IRA. Given a choice he couldn't refuse, he became an IRA double agent. The loyalist proxy gang (led by a UDR officer) failed to locate him in Dundalk and murdered the innocent Ludlow on the way back to base.

The above confirms much of what the Ludlow family has been saying about this foul murder for years. Use this link to read the complete article.>>>>

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21 September 2005, See The Dundalk Democrat: Jury was on the verge of a walkout and The Dundalk Democrat: We were afraid to talk back Sisters break their silence

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20 September 2005: Another important development, reported by local LMFM Radio News:

Council seek public inquiry into Ludlow killing

Louth County Council is to write to the Taoiseach and Minister for Justice seeking a full, public and independent inquiry into the murder of Seamus Ludlow. It follows the adoption of a motion tabled by councillor Tomas Sharkey. The saw mill worker was shot dead by loyalists in May 1976 and an inquest earlier this month heard that gardai knew the identities of his killers within 18 months of the murder, but failed to take any action.

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11 September 2005: See today's statement from Mr Bernard Moffatt, Secretary General of the Celtic League, an organisation that has given the Ludlow family valuable support for a long time now: 

LUDLOW MURDER - PRESSURE FOR BRITISH TO REOPEN THE CASE

Ireland's Foreign Minister should have no difficulty in his avowed
intent to persuade the British government that they should act over
the murder of Co. Louth forestry worker, Seamus Ludlow, almost thirty
years ago.
 
In November 2000 the Northern Ireland Office, Security Policy and
Operations Division, assured the Celtic League that it would be keen
to pursue any information pertaining to the killing. . .
 

To view the full statement from the Celtic League use this link.>>>>

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9 September 2005: See The Argus, a local Dundalk newspaper, for these two reports of this week's fresh inquest for Seamus Ludlow:

Identity of Ludlow's killer known to Gardai

Unlawful Killing

See also: The Dundalk Democrat, 21 September 2005, Jury was on the verge of walkout

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9 September 2005, See RTE News online: Ahern to raise Ludlow murder with Hain. 

The Minister for Foreign Affairs, and TD for Louth, Dermot Ahern, has said he will raise the sectarian murder of Seamus Ludlow by loyalists with the British  Northern Ireland Secretary, Peter Hain.

The Ludlow family had asked the minister to raise the issue to find out why no one was ever prosecuted for the murder, despite the fact that two men made statements in 1998, admitting their role in this foul murder.

However, the Director of Public Prosecutions in Belfast decided not to press charges. This extraordinary failure to prosecute Seamus Ludlow's alleged killers has never been explained.

No doubt the Ludlow family have many questions for the British authorities regarding their role in protecting the UDR/Red Hand Commando killers of Seamus Ludlow.

See also: 9 September 2005, www.online.ie News: Ahern To Raise Ludlow Murder With Hain

10 September 2005, The Irish News: Minister to raise 1976 murder with secretary

10 September 2005, The Irish Examiner: Ahern to raise issue of Ludlow murder

10 September 2005, Daily Ireland: Minister to raise murder

10 September 2005, Daily Ireland: Letters to the Editor - Garda deficiencies run very deep

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8 September 2005: See this report from today's edition of The Irish News, It has certainly been a busy and eventful week for the Ludlow family: O'Loan had concerns over Ludlow probe

Police Ombudsman Nuala O'Loan had concerns over the investigation into the loyalist murder of Co Louth man Seamus Ludlow, it has emerged. Although Mrs O'Loan could not mount a probe as it was outside her jurisdiction, she examined both RUC files and Garda material relating to the killing of the forestry worker almost 30 years ago. . . 

For the full report use this link.>>>>

See also: The Irish Sun: Tell us what you know about Seamus's murder for a report of Joe Costello TD's (Irish Labour Party)  welcome call on Taoiseach Brertie Ahern to publish the Barron Report on the murder of Seamus Ludlow as soon as possible because of the disturbing disclosures that came from this week's second inquest at Dundalk courthouse.

The private Barron Report has been with the Irish government since October 2004, and still there is no known date for its publication.

See also:

The Irish Sunday Mirror, 11 September 2005: Publish or be damned

The Irish Examiner, 8 September 2005: A file will always remain open, say gardaí - this report names the four loyalist suspects who were arrested by the RUC in 1998.

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7 September 2005: See the weekly Dundalk Democrat newspaper's detailed report of the two-day fresh inquest into the death of Seamus Ludlow.

This report features detailed accounts of evidence given by former state pathologist Professor John Harbison, who carried out the post mortem examination in 1976. Also featured are reports of evidence given by former detectives John Courtney, who collected a file from the RUC in February 1979 which named the four loyalist suspects in Seamus Ludlow's murder, and Ted Murphy, the man who conducted the most recent investigation in 1998.

See also: The Irish News, 7 September 2005: 'Gardai evidence strengthens case for public inquiry'

The Irish Independent, 7 September 2005: Ludlow family renew plea for murder inquiry

The Irish Times, 7 September 2005: Inquest told of statements admitting part in killing

Daily Ireland, 7 September 2005: Call for public inquiry

The Belfast Telegraph, 7 September 2005: Probe call into 1976 murder

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7 September 2005: The following report appeared today on the UTV News online:

WEDNESDAY 07/09/2005 12:49:19

Taoiseach urged to publish Ludlow murder report

The Taoiseach Bertie Ahern is being called on to publish the report on the investigation into the 1976 murder of Seamus Ludlow. . .

Labour spokesperson for Justice Joe Costello says the investigations at the time raise serious questions about the administration of justice on both sides of the border.

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6 September 2005: A jury at Dundalk courthouse today returned a verdict of unlawful killing, in accordance with the wishes of the Ludlow family, at the end of the second inquest into the murder of  Seamus Ludlow. The inquest lasted two days.

Speaking afterwards to the press and on national RTE television News bulletins, the Ludlow family reiterated their demand for a public inquiry into the murder, saying the inquest had raised many unanswered questions. 

There was nothing at all revealed from the private Murphy report on the original murder investigation, much to the dismay of the Ludlow family. The inquest had been delayed for more than three years because of the refusal of the gardai to hand this and other documentation over to the coroner Ronan Maguire. 

When the Murphy report was eventually handed over to the coroner it was on the basis that it remained confidential. The coroner would be entitled to submit sections of the report in the form of submissions to the inquest at his discretion, though this did not happen. Thus, many of the answers the Ludlow family hoped this report would provide remain hidden away.

It was also confirmed that two of the fatal bullets used in the killing of Seamus Ludlow are indeed missing. No trace of them has been found and no explanation for their disappearance has been offered. In a revelation further disquieting for the Ludlow family it was also revealed that Seamus Ludlow's clothing, which might still be useful for forensic and evidential purposes, have also disappeared. Again, no explanation was given!

These men had been identified to gardaí 19 years earlier as the killers of Seamus Ludlow, but when the information was passed on to Garda Headquarters, nothing happened.

In 1996, then Chief Superintendent Ted Murphy was asked by the Garda Commissioner to re-examine the case surrounding the murder of Seamus Ludlow.

Seamus Ludlow was murdered by a gang of four loyalists, now known to be members of the British Army UDR and the Red Hand Commando murder gang, just outside Dundalk on 2 May 1976. An inquest was held shortly afterwards, without the Ludlow family being informed or present, but the Attorney General in 2002 directed a new inquest be held as a result of new information.

Yesterday former Chief Superintendent John Courtney told the inquest that he was given the names and address of four men by the RUC in 1979 whom he believed had carried out the murder.

He passed that on to Garda Headquarters but despite his request for authority to proceed, it was not forthcoming.

Former Chief Supt Murphy today said that in 1996 he contacted the RUC and the informant who had given information about the four killers.

The four loyalists were arrested and taken here to Castlereagh RUC Station for questioning. Two of them, he said, provided independent and accurate details about the murder of Seamus Ludlow.

They described how the shooting took place in their car and how they left the body. However, no charges were ever brought against the men.

The conclusion of the fresh inquest was widely reported on RTE Television and Radio News bulletins, as well as the local LMFM Radio. It was also given good coverage on the national press.

See the following press and TV reports of the second and last day of the Seamus Ludlow inquest and the Ludlow family's reaction to the jury's verdict of 'Unlawful Killing':

RTE News online, 6 September 2005 22:08 ,  Unlawful killing verdict at Ludlow inquest

The Irish News, 7 September 2005: 'Gardai evidence strengthens case for public inquiry'

The Irish Daily Star, 7 September 2005: 'UDA' Murder Probe Call

The Dundalk Democrat, 7 September 2005: Seamus Ludlow murder is now officially an unlawful killing

Daily Ireland, 7 September 2005: Call for public inquiry

The Belfast Telegraph, 7 September 2005: Probe call into 1976 murder

The Irish Independent, 7 September 2005: Ludlow family renew plea for murder inquiry

The Irish Times, 7 September 2005: Inquest told of statements admitting part in killing

The Irish Sun, 7 September 2005: 'Loyalist kill was random'

See also: This exclusive report from The Dundalk Democrat, 21 September 2005, Jury was on the verge of walkout

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5 September 2005: Today was an important milestone for the Ludlow family with the opening, after a three year delay, of a fresh inquest into the death of Seamus Ludlow. 

The inquest was attended throughout by a large Ludlow family group, including the late Seamus Ludlow's only surviving brother Kevin, and his three widowed sisters; Kathleen Donegan, Eileen Fox, and Nan Sharkey. Many nephews and nieces also attended.

Detailed evidence was given by Professor John Harbison, retired Irish State Pathologist, who carried out the post mortem and gave evidence to the flawed "inquest" of 19 August 1976.

Further evidence was given by retired Garda Chief Superintendent John Courtney, who was involved in the initial murder investigation in May 1976. Mr Courtney testified, under questioning by the Ludlow family's legal representative, that he received a file from the RUC in February 1979, that the file identified four loyalists as the suspected murderers of Seamus Ludlow. He testified that he had eliminated any suspicions of IRA involvement within a few months, even though the Ludlow family was still being assured many years later by Dundalk gardai that the IRA was responsible. 

As for the RUC file, Mr Courtney stated that he had passed it to his superiors in Dublin Castle, and upon his further inquiries as to whether he had the authority to have the known suspects questioned, he was informed that no further action would be taken. He could offer no explanation for this!

See also:

Celtic League statement: NEW INQUEST INTO LUDLOW MURDER OPENS

See also the following press and TV reports of the first day of the fresh inquest into the death of Seamus Ludlow:

Ulster Television online report: Inquest into death of Seamus Ludlow

RTE News online report: Second inquest into Louth murder 05 September 2005 17:19

The Belfast Telegraph, 6 September 2005: Garda 'quashed' probe into UDA link to murder

The Irish Daily Star, 6 September 2005: 'Gardai did not follow up on murder details'

The Irish Independent, 6 September 2005: Garda chiefs 'sat on murder report'

The Irish Times, 6 September 2005: Forestry worker murdered by UDA, inquest told

Daily Ireland, 6 September 2005: Suspects known by Garda HQ

Daily Ireland, 6 September 2005: Murder of quiet man

Daily Ireland - Editorial: State's Dirty Secrets

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5 September 2005: The following comment was posted on the local Dundalk El Paso Times web site:

Monday, September 05, 2005

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1 September 2005: Local LMFM Radio report:

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6 July 2005: In a follow-up The El Paso Times site briefly names three of the Dundalk gardai who have been accused of harrassing members of the grieving Ludlow family in the aftermath of the vile sectarian murder of Seamus Ludlow. Follow the link given above.

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6 July 2005: The local Dundalk Democrat newspaper features a front page report titled Website names the Ludlow four about the publication of four loyalist suspects' names on the El Paso Times web site. The Democrat quotes an unnamed member of the Ludlow family who reacts to the naming of the four suspects:

Use the link above to read the full Dundalk Democrat report.