Family of murdered pensioner call for independent inquiry

The family of a 76-year-old County Tyrone woman who was murdered by loyalists in 1994 are calling for an independent public inquiry into her killing.

The family of Roseanne Mallon have made the inquiry call following a newspaper report in 'The Belfast Telegraph' which says there were six soldiers hidden at the scene but were ordered not to react after they heard gunfire.

The family have said the report confirms their belief that the RUC and British army personnel were “at best complicit and at worst (had) actually planned and assisted those who carried out the attack”.

The newspaper report also alleges that detectives who were investigating Mrs Mallon’s murder were not informed that the soldiers were at the scene. Neither were they informed about possible evidence recorded by a hidden camera, the tapes of which have subsequently gone missing.

In a statement released on Wednesday April 10, the family said: “The evidence put into the public domain surrounding the murder of Roseanne Mallon and the injuring of Brigid Mallon confirms our long-held view about the attack on our family home, namely that elements of the RUC and British army colluded with the loyalists who carried out the attack.

“At best they were complicit - and at worst they actually planned and assisted those who carried out the attack. We believe this disclosure clearly points to the latter.

“The evidence is such that the family is now calling for an independent public inquiry into the full circumstances surrounding the murder to be immediately initiated and is seeking an urgent meeting with John Reid. The issues are such that this is the only vehicle that will uncover the full facts, satisfy the family and the wider public interest.”

The Sinn Féin Fermanagh and South Tyrone MP Michelle Gildernew has said she will raise the matter with both the British and Irish governments as soon as possible.

“Revelations that British soldiers had secreted themselves in the vicinity of the house in which Mrs Mallon was murdered raises may questions as to the involvement of the RUC and British military in the killing," she said.

“It is my intention to raise this matter with both the British and Irish governments at the earliest possible opportunity. It is essential that Mrs Mallon’s surviving relatives are made fully aware of the circumstances surrounding her death.”

(AMcE)