RUC and Garda links in 1970s murder probes

A human rights investigation by a panel of international legal experts has found evidence of RUC and Garda collusion in a number of murders during the height of the Northern Ireland 'Troubles'.

The panel of four, which was set up two-years ago at the request of the Pat Finucane Centre, examined 76 murder cases between 1972 and 1977 and discovered that 74 of those investigated had evidence of collusion.

During the panel's investigation, which was set up to examine 25 loyalist atrocities during the 1970s, they also learned that Irish police had also failed to co-operate in bringing republicans to justice for the murders of Protestants over the border.

As a result of their findings, the panel, which consists of Professor Douglass Cassel of Notre Dame Law School in the US, Susie Kemp, an international lawyer based in The Hague, Piers Pigou - an investigator for the South African Truth and Reconciliation Commission and Stephen Sawyer of Northwestern University School of Law, has urged the government to launch an official, independent inquiry into the murders.

They also urged the authorities in the Republic to investigate the claims made about Irish police.

In the report, the panel said: "Credible evidence indicates that superiors of violent extremist officers and agents, at least within the RUC, were aware of their sectarian crimes yet failed to act to prevent, investigate or punish them.

"On the contrary, they allegedly made statements that appeared to condone participation in these crimes.”

The report continued by saying that as early as 1973, there was evidence that senior officials of the United Kingdom were put on notice of the danger - and indeed some of the facts - of sectarian violence by UDR soldiers using stolen UDR weapons and ammunition, and supported by UDR training and information.

It continued that by 1975, senior officials were also informed that some RUC police officers were `very close` to extremist paramilitaries.

Copies of the report, have been given to the British government and the Police Ombudsman's Office.

(EF)