This page features an
editorial sent to various newspapers in the
United States east coast by Linda Porra, of Irish
Organisations United, who has
recently given her considerable effort and
expertise to the Ludlow family's campaign for
truth and justice for Seamus Ludlow. She has
placed a link to this site in her site
called The
Troubles of Northern Ireland.
Alongside her colleague Jim J.
Kane, Scranton, Linda has written numerous
letters on the Ludlow family's behalf. Both have
placed messages of support on this site's Guest
Book. The Ludlow family received this
editorial on 14 April, 2000. Their support
for this campaign is deeply appreciated.
WHAT
EVER HAPPENED TO TRUTH AND JUSTICE ?
I am writing on behalf of the Seamus Ludlow
Family and what seems to be some very deep rooted
concerns surrounding his death on May 2, 1976.
There are numerous questions that need to be
answered and also to have public inquiries into
Seamus Ludlow's murder and to bring his murderers
to justice and do away with the smear campaign
that has protected his murderers for nearly 24
years now.
He may have been murdered simply because he was
Catholic, or because he was mistaken for another
intended victim. The Ludlow family has recently
found out that authorities on both sides of the
border had identified Mr. Ludlow's killers as far
back as 1979, if not much earlier.
Seamus Ludlow became a forgotten victim of the
Irish troubles, his life of no consequence to the
police who were charged with bringing his killers
to justice. The Ludlow Family wants to know why
Seamus Ludlow was so expendable?
Why was his murder not investigated in the way
that the law demanded?
Who were they trying to protect by smearing the
victim and the familys name?
Why had the UDR and Red Hand Murderers never been
brought to justice even though they were
identified by the R.U.C and Gardai more than
twenty (20) years ago?
When these murderers were identified why had
there not been an arrest until February 1998?
Why was the family kept away from the inquest of
Seamus Ludlow on August 19, 1976?
Why did the Irish authorities not initiate
proceedings against the four
suspects so they could be prosecuted in the
jurisdiction where the crime was committed, in
County Louth?
Will the British and Irish Authorities ever give
into the Ludlow's request
for a full and independent and public inquiry
where the family's attorneys
have the right to subpoena and question witnesses
regarding this murder?
The Ludlow family needs intervention into the
atrocities that have been
committed and for which they received NO justice
from a prejudiced government and police force.
They seek the intervention of the Human Rights
Commission to help right the injustice that has
come upon them. We ask that you intervene on
behalf of these families and all peoples who have
had their rights ignored for so long.
** Also it has come to our attention, that the
nephew of Seamus Ludlow has been trying to send
out letters to the UN Human Rights Commissioner
and to the Secretary General in Ireland,
requesting that they both "Please" take
an interest in the Ludlow family's campaign for
truth and justice. Mr. Ludlows nephew has
been informed from a UN official that his letter
NEVER reached either of these places. He
also sent out letters to SEVERAL USA lawyers and
human rights groups, whom have informed me they
have never received his letters either. It seems
the mail of Mr. Ludlows living family is
being intercepted by authorities and not being
allowed to reach where it was intended to go**
For some reason, even almost 24 years
later, the authorities are still
trying to keep this case quiet, not allowing Mr.
Ludlow's existing family to ask for help, trying
to silence even his mail. The only reason this
family finally got to reach out to us is I saw
his web site and I wrote to him, and we have been
corresponding via E-Mail. People need to know
about this family's plight, and their struggle
for Truth and Justice will prevail!
Sincerely,
Linda Porra
Irish Organizations United
432 South Street
Southbridge, MA. 01550
USA
E-Mail: [email protected]
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