New inquests will take place into the murders of five Catholic men by the loyalist Ulster Volunteer Force (UVF) over 30 years ago.
Sean Anderson, Thomas Armstrong, Dwayne O’Donnell, Thomas Casey and Phelim McNally died in four separate shootings, with claims that the killers colluded with British soldiers.
The new inquests come as the British government is trying to shut down legacy inquests by May of next year. The families of those who were murdered fear their inquests may not take place before the British government’s much-criticized legacy bill brings the process to a halt.
Solicitor for the families, Gavin Booth, said: “We are under pressure of the legacy bill – that bill is pending, we believe it’s going to come into law.”
He added: “New evidence raises serious questions, not only about the 8th Battalion of the Ulster Defence Regiment, but also the failure of the police to prosecute these individuals.”
Sinn Féin’s Francis "Francie" Molloy, who is MP for Mid-Ulster where the murders took place, welcomed news of the inquests.
“Today’s announcement that new inquests will finally be held into the murders of Sean Anderson, Thomas Armstrong, Dwayne O'Donnell, Thomas Casey and Phelim McNally is welcome news for the families.
“Two other local men John Quinn and Malcolm Nugent were also killed in the incident at Boyle’s Bar in Cappagh which claimed the lives of Dwayne O’Donnell and Thomas Armstrong.
“The Attorney General ordered the new inquests after citing ‘deficiencies’ in the original investigations and inquests stating there was new information not considered at the first inquests which intelligence 'as to whether state agents/bodies played a role in the deaths' and 'wider evidence suggestive of collusion.'
"Today’s ruling is further evidence that the British government should scrap its flawed legacy bill which is a cynical and cruel attempt to close the door on families who have a right to truth and justice through access to coronial inquests and Article 2 compliant investigations.
“The legacy mechanisms agreed at Stormont House by the two governments and political parties in 2014 should be implemented in a human rights' compliant manner."
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