Charges against three Portadown men accused of the murder of Robert Hamill, a Catholic who was kicked to death in the town last May, were dropped by the North's DPP yesterday.
Mr Hamill's four sisters wept at the back of Lisburn Magistrates' Court as Mr Randolph Arthur Robinson (25), of Corcrain Avenue, Mr Alistair Hanvey (20), of Derry anvil Road, and Mr Dean Forbes (19), of Deramore Drive, walked free from the court amid cheers.
The Resident Magistrate, Mr Harry McKibbon, was told on behalf of the DPP that the murder charges preferred by the RUC on the evidence of certain witnesses would no longer be available.
Mr McKibbon told the men as they were released, having spent five months on remand: "It has been a terrible ordeal for all three of you."
Mr Hamill was kicked unconscious as he walked home from St Patrick's Catholic Social Club in Portadown last May. He died two days later in hospital.
Three other local people - Mr Wayne Lunt (17), Mr Stacey Bridgett (19) and Mr Paul Hobson (20) - are still in custody charged with the murder of Mr Hamill.