McDowell apologises for Ludlow lies

A statement, issued on behalf of a third party from the Six Counties, has said that new information would be made available on the Ludlow case if such an inquiry was set up.

Meanwhile, 26-County Minister for Justice Michael McDowell has acknowledged that the family of Seamus Ludlow were entitled to “feel aggrieved” over his state’s response to the murder of the Dundalk man nearly thirty years ago.

Seamus Ludlow was shot dead on May 2nd, 1976, as he went home from a night out.

The Barron Report found that the gardai failed to follow up on subsequent information from the RUC police that four named paramilitaries, including two British UDR soldiers, were responsible for the murder.

The Ludlow family were subsequently lied to by the local Gardai police, who blamed the IRA for the murder and claimed Ludlow had acted as an informer.

Today’s statement, which was read out at the parliamentary committee in Dublin dealing with a new report into the murder, was welcomed by Sinn Féin.

“The campaign of the Ludlow family for truth and justice in relation to the murder of Seamus demands that the Government leaves no stone unturned in that search,” said Dail leader Caoimhghin O Caolain.

“I call on the Government to immediately set up an independent public inquiry as the prospect of substantive and crucial new information being made available in relation to this case must not be lost.”

However, Mr McDowell cast doubt on whether it could be possible to have a new inquiry.

“It still doesn’t follow that it would be lawful for the state to set up an inquiry, in effect to mimic a criminal trial,” he said.

However, he grudgingly accepted that the Ludlow family had a right to “feel aggrieved”.

“On the basis of the findings of the Barron report, the Ludlow family undoubtedly has a sound basis for feeling aggrieved at a number of events surrounding the murder, including events relating to the interview of suspects and the original coroner’s inquest,” he said.

Urgent Appeal