A 2009 photo of the pub where the killings took place.
By Anthony Neeson
A damning report by Northern Ireland’s Police Ombudsman has said that there was collusion between police officers and loyalist gunmen in one of the North’s most notorious killings of the Troubles.
Six Catholic men were gunned down in the Heights Bar in Loughinisland as they watched the Republic of Ireland play Italy in a World Cup game in June, 1994.
Two gunmen sprayed the County Down pub killing Adrian Rogan, 34, Malcolm Jenkinson, 53, Barney Green, 87, Daniel McCreanor, 59, Patrick O’Hare, 35, and Eamon Byrne, 39.
Speaking at a press conference in Belfast, Police Ombudsman, Dr. Michael Maguire, said: “I have no hesitation in saying collusion was a significant feature of the Loughinisland murders.”
The report was highly critical of the police investigation into the murders, listing “catastrophic failings” by the then RUC.
RUC informants were involved in the killing, the report goes on, and police knew the names of suspects 24 hours after the killings, but delayed making arrests.
Emma Rogan, daughter of Adrian Rogan, who was eight-years-old at the time of the massacre, said: “Today is one of mixed emotions.”
“I’m thinking of my daddy and all those others who died. This report has vindicated our long-held suspicions.
“Our journey has been a very difficult one and we have travelled all around the world……we have been vilified at home but we have exposed collusion.”
The report also said that the weapons used in the murders were brought into Northern Ireland from South Africa in the late 1980s, a shipment that involved police informants “at the most senior levels within loyalist paramilitary organisations.”
Meanwhile, a police investigation will take place into the activities of the British army’s most high-ranking agent in the IRA.
The agent, codenamed “Stakeknife,” has been linked to more than fifty murders.
“Stakeknife” has been named in the media as Belfast man Freddie Scappaticci.
Mr. Scappaticci has denied the allegations.
The investigation will be led by led by a senior police officer from England and could take up to five years.
In another development, the inquest into the 1976 Kingsmills massacre in South Armagh was adjourned until later this month, this after new evidence emerged.
Ten Protestant workmen were murdered as they returned home from work.
The IRA has been blamed for the atrocity.
The new evidence is believed to be a partial palm print that was found on a getaway van and which has been re-examined.
