‘Disgust’ at convicted Swatragh ‘murderer’ who tried to have victim’s widow prosecuted

Seamus Martin Kearney leaves Derry Courthouse on bail after being charged for the murder of RUC reserve constable John Proctor, 25, was shot dead in Magherafelt in September 1981, DNA on a cigarette discarded at the scene of a policeman's death 29 years ago led to a man being charged with murder Pic Colm Lenaghan/Pacemaker

Kearney was jailed for 20 years in 2013 for the murder of 25-year-old reserve police officer John Proctor, who had just been to see his wife and newborn son at the Mid Ulster Hospital.

He will serve two years for the crime under the Good Friday Agreement.

Mrs McMullin has been vocal about Kearney’s short sentence and also has also voiced her anger at him being allowed day release from prison.

DUP MLA Ian McCrea said: “All right thinking people will be absolutely disgusted at the despicable actions of Seamus Kearney, a convicted IRA murderer, who sought to heap more misery on Mrs June McMullan an innocent victim of his vile atrocity.

“June’s husband, John Proctor, was brutally sentenced to death by cowardly IRA murderers and Seamus Kearney is fully aware of the part he played in the murder of a totally innocent and honourable man. John was murdered in 1981 after he had visited his wife and new born son at the Mid Ulster Hospital in Magherafelt.

“Kearney obviously has no shame over his cowardly deed and his pathetic actions clearly show that he has no remorse whatsoever for the intolerable grief and suffering he inflicted on this family.

“I am delighted that the PPS has seen through Kearney’s claims and has taken the rightful decision to take no further action. Sadly because of the Belfast Agreement, that my party opposed, murderers are now walking the streets that ought to be behind bars for life.

“But I would remind him and his fellow terrorist colleagues that there is a greater court and judge to face when eternal justice will be handed out.”