THE family of a vulnerable man shot dead by the British army more than 40 years ago have said they have no faith in a re-opened police investigation.
John Pat Cunningham was killed near his Co Tyrone home in June 1974.
The 27-year-old Catholic, who had a mental age of between six and 10, was hit three times as he ran from a patrol near Carrickness, Benburb.
The PSNI announced yesterday they they were launching a fresh investigation into the shooting.
Neil McGuinness, who is leading the murder hunt, said: "Our objective is to get to the truth of what happened that Saturday morning so that justice can be served.
"We have now reached a point where it is appropriate and necessary to ask for assistance from not only the local community in Benburb but also from people who may have moved away from the area or are in other parts of the world, if the investigation is to be fully progressed.
"I appreciate this happened more than 40 years ago but I believe there are people in the community today who remember this tragic incident, who knew John Pat and who may have information which would be of assistance to the investigation."
Officers want to hear from people who knew Mr Cunningham, anyone who saw previous encounters between him and soldiers, and anyone who witnessed the fatal shooting.
Last year the family received an apology from the Ministry of Defence after the Historical Enquiries Team - which was set up to look at Troubles-related cold cases - concluded that Mr Cunningham's death was a tragedy that should not have happened.
However, Paul O'Connor of the Pat Finucane Centre said the Cunningham family believe the PSNI should not be attempting to investigate the murder at this time.
"The family fears that, if the PSNI opens a reinvestigation now, it will rule out a new, independent inquiry under the proposed Historical Investigations Unit proposed in the Stormont House Agreement.
"In the aftermath of the murder, the two soldiers who shot John Pat in the back, as he ran away from them, were questioned for five minutes each only.
"They refused to give any explanation for their actions to the RUC and were not pressed to do so.
"The Cunningham family were not informed this appeal was being made today. They first heard about it through the media.
"Last week they were asked through their legal representative to provide a photograph but refused to do so, telling the PSNI that they did not wish to be involved in this appeal.
"The family have never met with the PSNI and asked the PFC to attend a recent meeting to inform them that they had no confidence in this investigation."
* FEARS: Above, Paul O'Connor of the Pat Finucane Centre speaking on behalf of the family of John Pat Cunningham, inset