THE family of a man murdered by the UVF has voiced concern about a PSNI u-turn over a gun find in Co Tyrone.
Police admitted to the Irish News this week that a gun and ammunition had been found at Tamnamore, near Dungannon, in June.
It came two weeks after the force said officers had “no knowledge” of the find, in an area where several attacks were carried out by the UVF’s notorious Glenanne Gang during the Troubles.
The handgun, believed to be a revolver, and three types of ammunition and two manuals were discovered under floorboards during demolition work at a house.
Sources have claimed the area was not sealed off by police and no statements were taken from the man who found the gun or other witnesses.
It is understood the owner of the house had no knowledge of the weapon.
While its ballistic history is not yet known, police have said it will be “expedited for re-examination to establish if it can be linked to any historical incidents".
It is not known where the gun was kept after it was handed over to police.
Last night Eileen Hughes, daughter-in-law of UVF murder victim Frank Hughes, voiced concern about the find last night.
A taxi driver, Mr Hughes was killed after he answered a bogus call at a hotel near Dungannon in 1990.
“It’s a family’s right to know of any developments that come up,” she said.
“It’s not going to give us much confidence if things are found and it’s kept quiet.”
Independent Mid Ulster councillor Barry Monteith called for an “external investigation” into the find.
“The PSNI are not fit, able or willing to investigate on an impartial basis,” he claimed.
Mr Monteith added that it was important to establish “under whose control has the gun and ammunition been” since its discovery almost three months ago.
Mid Ulster Sinn Féin assembly member Linda Dillon said her party intends to raise the controversy with the PSNI at local and Policing Board level.
"The PSNI have questions to answer over why the story changed in relation to the discovery of this weapon,” she said.
Relatives for Justice director Mark Thompson said the PSNI’s handling of the case “merely adds to existing suspicion and mistrust... not least amongst families affected by collusion”.
A spokesman for the PSNI said it was "premature to speculate about” the history of the gun.
Asked why it had not made the media aware of the find in June, a spokesman said: “There was no investigative need to issue this information proactively, nor was there any concerns in relation to public safety as a result of the discovery of this old weapon."
He added: “If anyone has any complaints about the actions of police, they can contact the office of the Police Ombudsman."
