The families of the six men murdered at a Loughinisland pub during the World Cup of 1994 have criticised how the RUC handled the original investigation and demanded that the PSNI now step up efforts to apprehend and convict the UVF killers.
The families said at a press conference in Belfast yesterday that "persistent allegations" of security force collusion in the murders must also be investigated, particularly claims that the police inquiry was inhibited in order to protect a UVF informer or informers.
Six men were killed when two UVF gunmen burst into the Heights Bar in Loughinisland, Co Down, on June 18th, 1994, as customers were watching the Ireland versus Italy match on television. Those murdered were: Adrian Rogan (34), Barney Green (87), Dan McCreanor (59), Malcolm Jenkinson (54), Patsy O'Hare (35) and Eamon Byrne (39).
In March this year the families asked Police Ombudsman Nuala O'Loan to carry out an investigation into how the police dealt with the murder inquiry. A separate inquiry, which is due to be published by Mrs O'Loan this summer, could have a bearing on that investigation, as it is expected to highlight widespread RUC Special Branch protection of UVF informers around that period.
The families laid stress on what they said was "police mismanagement" of items of evidence seized at the time that, they argued, could now be tested to find clues that could identify the killers. In particular they questioned why the getaway car used in the murder was "wilfully destroyed by police".
