Families of Loughinisland victims criticise probe

The families of the the six people murdered during the Loughinisland massacre have today spoken out for the first time about their campaign for justice.

During a press conference in west Belfast, the families demanded that a proper investigation must be carried after allegations that the murderers colluded with members of the security forces.

The allegations of police involvement emerged recently when families of the victims heard claims that a police agent supplied the car used by the gunmen who carried out the shootings.

The families have already lodged a complaint with the Police Ombudsman's Office, raising their concerns about serious flaws in the investigation, including the loss of vital forensic evidence and the decision by police to destroy the getaway car, used by the UVF.

The solicitor for the families Niall Murphy today said that the was astonished that such a vital piece of evidence was destroyed.

He said: "I can think of no reasonable reason why any reasonable police officer would destroy such an exhibit, which must have contained a wealth of evidential product.

"Certainly I have my suspicions as to why it was destroyed but I have no idea why the car was destroyed.

"That the car was destroyed in itself creates inherent suspicion."

In 1994, six Catholic men were gunned down by two UVF members while they watched an Ireland v Italy World cup match in the Heights Bar, County Down.

(EF/GB)