Ruane Rages Over Loughinisland Decision

A republican member of the Stormont Executive has been outraged by news of 'no prosecution' against a policeman over alleged involvement in the 1994 Loughinisland Pub Massacre.

South Down Sinn Fein MLA and Education Minister, Caitríona Ruane, (pictured) has expressed her outrage and disappointment at the decision by the Public Prosecution Service (PPS) not to take action against the still-serving police officer.

He was under investigation for allegedly helping the UVF gang behind the bloody Loughinisland massacre when six men - including an 87-year-old man - were killed on 18 June 1994, when two gunmen burst into the village's Heights bar and opened fire, leaving five others injured after a hail of fire when 200 bullets were fired.

The solicitor for the families has also criticised the decision by the Public Prosecution Service not to proceed as relatives of the victims have consistently maintained that there was security force collusion and that a number of agents working for the police were involved in the atrocity.

A file was sent to the PPS over five months ago to consider whether to press charges against the officer involved in the case.

The former RUC reservist, who was suspended by the PSNI, had been questioned over perverting the course of justice and helping the gang make its getaway after the shooting.

In a statement, the PPS said there was "insufficient evidence to provide a reasonable prospect of conviction of the individual reported".

Ms Ruane said today: "The decision by the PPS not to proceed with prosecutions, on the back of the damning inquiry into the Loughinisland massacre, is nothing short of scandalous and will come as a major blow to the families who have campaigned tirelessly for justice.

"The loss of life that occurred in the Height's Bar exposed serious flaws in the RUC's original investigation and there is no doubt in my mind that many of the UVF gang involved in this gun attack were colluding directly with Special Branch," she again alleged.

"The Police Ombudsman's Report into the massacre must be published without delay and the PSNI clearly have serious questions to answer.

"The families of those who died on that terrible day deserve truth and justice and Sinn Fein will continue to support the families and their legal team's clearly defined strategy and in their efforts to bring closure on what was an horrendous crime."

(BMcC/GK)