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 View messages from our original Guestbook Other Ludlow Family Sites.
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The Sunday Life, 29 November 1998: Murder cover-up conspiracy probe Exclusive by Jackie McKeown Relatives of a Dundalk man who claim he was murdered by British Army agents are to hold a high-profile public meeting to highlight his case. The family of Seamus Ludlow hope the event will force the British and Irish governments to reveal what they say was a "cross-border conspiracy" to protect the killers. And they believe a breakthrough in the case could throw new light on other mystery murders across the south - including the Dublin and Monaghan bombings. "If it is proved that the investigation was covered up then that has a bearing on other cases," said Mr Ludlow's nephew, Michael Donegan. "If this peace process means anything at all there has to be an accounting for truth. Question "The man who killed Seamus was clearly allowed to kill again and the question has to be asked, "how many lives could have been saved?"" The south Armagh man's uncle was found after he was shot three times near his Co Louth home in May 1976. Gardai blamed the murder on the IRA, branding Mr Ludlow an informer - a charge his family have fought against ever since. But it was not until earlier this year that a witness came forward to allege that the 47-year-old bachelor had been murdered by three Red Hand Commando members - two of them UDR men. In February the RUC arrested and questioned four men - one from England and three from Northern Ireland - about the murder and a file is now being studied by the DPP. Gardai Chief Supt Ted Murphy, tasked to investigate the force's original investigation of the murder, has completed his probe and submitted a report. The case has also attracted widespread backing from international human rights bodies and it is hoped Tony Benn MP will speak at the public meeting in the New Year. "We will do our best to get these men put on trial, but we also want an inquiry into the RUC and Gardai who consorted with them," said Mr Donegan. "Seamus was a very unimportant man in life - he was expendable. "But he has taken on a huge importance in death. "There is little we can do for Seamus now except salvage his name from the wreckage. "But we hope we can make life easier for others whose relatives were murdered and who have been denied the truth." I Homepage I I Top I I Press Coverage I |