Lisburn woman continues to fight for 'Justice for John'

John Torney was a serving police officer living in Cookstown and was convicted of shooting his wife Linda and two children John Junior (13) and Emma (11) with the prosecution claiming he was infatuated with a colleague at the time.

However the Torney family have always insisted he was innocent and now, 16 years after his conviction, his sister-in-law Hilary Torney has published a book which claims there is 'compelling evidence' the killings were carried out by John Junior.

In the book 'Justice for John' she discusses the terrible events of September 20,1994 when three members of the Torney family were shot dead and the struggle to clear the name of the man convicted of their murders.

John Senior was sentenced to twenty years in prison but five years ago died of a heart attack in Maghaberry Prison.

In her book Mrs Torney says witnesses had come forward claiming that John Junior was sexually abusing his sister and that he had threatened to kill her if their mother found out, but that this line of investigation was not followed up.

"I hope those who read the book will, like us, be disturbed at just what became of Constable John Torney. He lost his family and a well respected police officer with commendations to his name for saving lives, a caring husband and father, son, brother and uncle, was destroyed.

"The book explains the toll has taken on his surviving family who never doubted his innocence. Indeed we believe John Senior was, as we have always known, another victim to add to the many before him of a gross miscarriage of justice during the time of the 'Conflict' in Northern Ireland. Only with truth and justice can we get closure," she said.

The book was launched nationally at Stormont on Monday September 20 and in Lisburn on Friday September 24 at the DUP offices in Castle Street.

Lagan Valley MP Jeffrey Donaldson has met with Mrs Torney and is calling for a review of the evidence in the case.

"Having read Hilary's book and examined the issues around this case I believe she makes a very strong argument for the Criminal Cases Review Commission to look at some of the evidence that casts doubt on the conviction of the late John Torney," said Mr Donaldson.

"This was undoubtedly a very tragic case and I would encourage people to read the book and keep an open mind on the issues Hilary has very skillfully examained in this contribution to the discussion around the conviction of her late brother-in-law.

"I hope that when people consider the case they will recognise the strength of the arguments in favour of having a re-examination of the evidence."

'Justice for John' by Hilary Torney is on sale now and is available locally in Easons and Waterstones.

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