The Dundalk Democrat, 27 April 2002:

Ludlow family happy with Dublin meeting

By Anne-Marie Eaton

Representatives of the family of the late Seamus Ludlow have met with Justice Henry Barron, and this week described the meeting as "positive".

Seamus' murder in May 1976 has been included in a Government inquiry undertaken by Justice Barron.

The family, however, have continually stated their desire for a public inquiry into the murder of the Mountpleasant forestry worker.

Seamus' brother Kevin, along with nephews Jimmy Sharkey, Brendan Larkin and family solicitor, James MacGuill, met with Justice Barron on Thursday morning last in Dublin's Government buildings.

Speaking to the "Democrat", Jimmy Sharkey said the meeting was beneficial to all concerned.

The family has not yet decided if it wants to become involved in the Government's private inquiry, but Justice Barron said he would be going ahead with the inquiry, even if the family were not involved.

"While we pointed out that we were not suspicious of him personally, we said we were very suspicious, considering the way we were treated in 1976 and again in 1998 after a further investigation and report was put together", Jimmy explained.

"He seems to see Seamus' case as reasonably straightforward. He's not a person who is interested in hearsay and said he would rather deal with people directly.

"We did query access to files and he didn't rule this out. He added he would not lead us up the garden path".

Seamus' family are now top talk over the details of last week's meeting and decide on further steps. Jimmy stated: "We are going to discuss this and think about what was said.  It was definitely a progressive meeting."

While no agreement was reached on whether the family would get involved in the inquiry or not, the family were pleased with the manner in which they were received in comparison with previous occasions.

Deputy Brendan McGahon submitted a Dail question to the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform, John O'Donoghue, requesting information on the progress of investigations into Seamus' murder.

In a written answer dated 17th April, Minister O'Donoghue gave the following reply:

"While it is not usual practice for the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform to report to the House on the progress of individual Garda investigations, sufficient details of this case are already in the public arena for me to state that in 1996 the investigation into this matter was reviewed by the Garda Siochana in conjunction with the RUC.

"Four suspects were arrested and interviewed outside the State and a file was subsequently submitted to the Director of Public Prosecutions in Northern Ireland.

"Having examined the evidence in the matter he directed that no proceedings should be instituted against any of the persons concerned.. However, the Garda authorities assure me that their investigation file remains open in his case and that any developments will be fully pursued.

"The Deputy will be aware that the Government decided in principle in September 1999 to establish an inquiry into this case as well as the bombings in Dublin/Monaghan and Dundalk.

"Mr Justice Barron agreed in December last to undertake the inquiry, which would be carried out on the same basis as the present inquiry into the Dublin/Monaghan bombings, in line with the recommendations contained in the report of the Victims Commission".

Minister O'Donoghue concluded by saying that representatives of the victim's relatives had met with justice Barron to "discuss how matters may be progressed".

I Homepage I I Top I I Press Coverage I I Victims Commission Report I I Hamilton/Barron Inquiry I I Terms of Reference for Barron Inquiry I

The Dundalk Democrat, 23 February 2002: Meeting with Attorney General

The Irish News, 23 February 2002: 'Public inquiry needed'

The Dundalk Democrat, 2 March 2002: Ludlow murder: Relatives draw a blank in meeting with McDowell

The Dundalk Democrat, 9 March 2002: Ludlow relatives meet NI Ombudsman Sympathy but no new information