Lurgan collusion claim
Lurgan Sinn Fein councillor John O'Dowd has called on the RUC to
release the forensic history of a weapon found near a hijacked
vehicle in Magheralin on 30 January.
The vehicle which was hijacked at gunpoint in the loyalist Mourneview
estate turned up several miles away with a gun hidden close by.
Councillor O'Dowd said, ``It is now blatantly obvious that a loyalist
murder bid against members of the nationalist community was at a
well-advanced stage. What, however, is not so obvious is exactly when
did the RUC become aware of this murder attempt and how did the
hijackers manage to drive their vehicle several miles out of town
despite the hijacking being reported almost immediately and still
have time to park the car and hide the weapon apparently for a second
party to collect. They were then able to disappear without a trace,
as did those the car had been left for''.
It is known that an active LVF unit is operating out of the estate
and probaly would have used the cover of the Orange Volunteers. The
area where the car was found is also well known for a number of
sectarian attacks on Catholics.
``Many people are now asking where was the follow up search? Where was
the saturation of loyalist area by crown forces, a scene so familiar
in nationalist areas after lesser incidents?'', Councillor O'Dowd said.
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