‘National security’ halts Loughgall inquest

Posted by Jim on July 13, 2014

British Direct Ruler Theresa Villiers has intervened to block a new
inquest into the deaths of eight IRA Volunteers and a civilian shot dead
by the SAS almost 30 years ago in a decision branded as “profoundly
wrong” by Six-County Attorney General John Larkin.

It was confirmed to human rights group the Committee on the
Administration of Justice that Villiers issued a certificate blocking a
fresh inquest last month claiming it was “against the interests of
national security”, with the British Attorney-General being assigned
authority over the matter.

The eight IRA Volunteers were ambushed and killed by the SAS while on
active service in Loughgall, County Armagh on May 8 1987. Civilian
Anthony Hughes from Caledon in County Tyrone was also killed when he
drove unknowingly into the ambush.

The British government ultimately apologised to the Hughes family and
confirmed he was “wholly innocent of any wrongdoing”, but always denied
that the eight Volunteers were victims of a pre-planned ‘shoot-to-kill’
massacre.

In their letter to the CAJ, Mr Larkin’s lawyer said: “The Attorney
General wishes me to inform you that he considers the Secretary of
State’s decision to be profoundly wrong in principle and is currently
reflecting on the appropriate response to it.”

Relatives of those killed in Loughgall have spoken of their
disappointment at the decision. Mairead Kelly, whose brother Patrick was
one of the eight IRA men shot dead, said she wasn’t surprised by the
move.

“They don’t have to provide proof, do we know that there is something
there to prevent this going ahead,” she said. “The truth is going to be
damaging or they would let it go ahead.”

Director of the Committee on the Administration of Justice, Brian
Gormally condemned the decision.

“There is a relentless campaign, led by the UK Government and supported
by some elements in Northern Ireland, to suppress the truth about the
activities of state agents during the conflict,” he said.

“The aim is to ensure impunity for any crimes and human rights
violations committed by servants of the state, whether policemen,
soldiers or secret agents. This is the latest stage in this epic
cover-up, using the deliberately undefined concept of ‘national
security’ to stifle a proper investigation.”

Attorney General John Larkin had been considering the request for a new
inquest for almost two years after the European Court of Human Rights
previously found that there had been no proper investigation of the
deaths.

Mr Gormally said his organisation will challenge the move. �There is a
relentless campaign, led by the UK Government and supported by some
elements in Northern Ireland, to suppress the truth about the activities
of state agents during the conflict,” he said.

“The aim is to ensure impunity for any crimes and human rights
violations committed by servants of the state, whether policemen,
soldiers or secret agents. This is the latest stage in this epic
cover-up, using the deliberately undefined concept of �national
security� to stifle a proper investigation.

He said his organisation “don�t know” why the Loughgall case has been
singled out for the �national security� veto. “Is it because the SAS
were involved, or did a UK Minister give the green light for the ambush?
The point is, we don’t know and we won’t know if the UK Government has
anything to do with it.

“This situation is not just an assault on the right to truth and
transparency in a democratic society, but the lack of a proper
investigation is a continuing human rights violation. We will contest
this decision by all available means.”

Sinn Fein MP for Fermanagh and South Tyrone Michelle Gildernew accused
authorities of “denying truth and justice to the families of those
killed in the Loughgall massacre” and said she agreed with Larkin’s
description of the intervention as ‘profoundly wrong.’

“This is yet another example of the British government denying families
the opportunity to get to the truth about the deaths of their loved
ones,” she said.

“Once again this exposes the lie that the British government was not a
protagonist in the conflict. The British government is denying the
families of those killed at Loughgall their basic human rights by
blocking access to the truth.”