Hay: Release all papers plea

Speaking just after the report was made public, Mr Hay said there was no doubt in his mind that there was "not that much new in the Ombudsman's findings to further establish the role this particular priest (Chesney] played in all of this. Most people in Claudy and the community knew the role he played," the DUP man said.

"The sad reality is what we heard today has created more questions that need answers, not least of all for the families and victims.

Step back

What we all need to do now is take a step back, because what the families have heard has added a further burden of hurt to that which they already have to carry.

"Them having all that information and being told they decided to do some sort of cover-up does not really get to the heart of the matter, and in truth I believe it just allows the guilty to get off totally and utterly scot free. I want to know where did it all go wrong, why was this not brought to the fore, discussed and exposed?" he asked.

He said there was no doubt in his mind, whatsoever, that other people in the Government of the day were involved in the cover-up, adding: "The sad reality is this - where does it leave the families, because they still do not have closure?

"I firmly believe that there are people still out there who know more than what they are prepared to tell about who know exactly was or were responsible for causing this tragedy. In essence, what the families have heard today only adds to the hurt they have felt over the past almost 40 years.

"I am now calling for all papers relating ot the incident held by Government, the police, papers from wherever they are held, they all need to be released publicly in the hope that we can truly put it together and disclose how far the cover-up went. All papers need to be released," he said.