Appeal Renewed Over Loughinisland Murder

The PSNI has renewed an appeal for information twenty years on from a gun attack on patrons of the Heights Bar at Loughinisland in County Down who were watching a World Cup football match at the time.

Detectives from Serious Crime Branch investigating the murder of six men and the attempted murder of other patrons in the bar have launched a fresh appeal.

The victims were watching the Republic of Ireland play Italy on television when UVF gunmen opened fire on the evening of 18 June 1994.

No one has yet been charged with the murders but a renewed police investigation is underway.

Senior Investigating Officer, Detective Chief Inspector Gareth Talbot said: "This was a sickening, indiscriminate and completely futile attack committed by terrorists who gave no thought to the innocent lives they shattered, then and now."

Those who died were Barney Green, Adrian Rogan, Malcolm Jenkinson, Daniel McCreanor, Patrick O'Hare and Eamon Byrne.

To date, 16 people have been arrested, 51 searches have been conducted, 605 statements recorded and more than 2,500 actions raised as part of the investigation.

DCI Talbot said: "Police remain firmly committed to apprehending those responsible for these murders. On this 20th anniversary, with all its pain for families and survivors and perhaps reflection for those involved, I would ask anyone with information about the murders to come forward and speak to police.

"The anniversary should bring into focus the fact that it is never too late to do the right thing, to come forward with any information about individuals or events. Police will not give up but what we really need is for people to make statements and give evidence."

(IT/CD)