Inquest into Loughgall killings blocked by Villiers

Secretary of State Theresa Villiers has blocked a fresh inquest into the deaths of eight IRA men and a civilian shot dead by the SAS almost 30 years ago in Loughgall.
Loughgall Police Station after the gun and bomb attack in 1987 which left 8 IRA men and an innocent passer by dead, all killed by an SAS unit which was lying in wait. Photo by Tony Hendron. INPT50-225.Loughgall Police Station after the gun and bomb attack in 1987 which left 8 IRA men and an innocent passer by dead, all killed by an SAS unit which was lying in wait. Photo by Tony Hendron. INPT50-225.
Loughgall Police Station after the gun and bomb attack in 1987 which left 8 IRA men and an innocent passer by dead, all killed by an SAS unit which was lying in wait. Photo by Tony Hendron. INPT50-225.

In a move branded as ‘profoundly wrong in principle’ by the Attorney General John Larkin’s office, it is believed to be the first time the British government has intervened to sidestep the Attorney General since he took up his post in 2010.

Since then Mr Larkin has ordered new inquests into a number of controversial Troubles related deaths including shoot-to-kill incidents.

His solicitor confirmed to human rights group the Committee on the Administration of Justice that Ms Villiers issued a certificate, blocking a fresh inquest last month claiming it may ‘be against the interests of national security’.

Eight IRA men were killed by the SAS as they attacked Loughgall RUC station on May 8, 1987. Civilian Anthony Hughes (36) from Caledon, Co Tyrone, was also killed when, along with his brother, he drove unknowingly into the ambush. The families of the victims believe no attempt was made to arrest them.

In May this year it was revealed that the government had apologised to the Hughes family and confirmed he was ‘wholly innocent of any wrongdoing’.

In their letter to the CAJ Mr Larkin’s solicitor said: “The Attorney General wishes me to inform you that he considers the Secretary of State’s decision to be profoundly wrong in principle and is currently reflecting on the appropriate response to it.” It is believed the inquest decision will now be taken by British Attorney General Dominic Grieve.

Mairead Kelly, whose brother Patrick was one of the eight IRA men shot dead, said she wasn’t surprised at the move.

“They don’t have to provide proof, we do know that there is something there to prevent this going ahead,” she said. “The truth is going to be damaging or they would let it go ahead.”

Director of the Committee on the Administration of Justice Brian Gormally, who is to challenge the decision, said: “There is a relentless campaign, led by the UK government and supported by some elements in NI to suppress the truth about the activities of state agents during the conflict.

The aim is to ensure impunity for any crimes and human rights violations committed by servants of the state, whether policemen, soldiers, or secret agents.”

The AG had been considering the request for a new inquest for almost two years after the European Court found there had been no proper investigation of the deaths.

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