FAMILIES of those killed in Loughinisland say they are devastated after a damning High Court ruling that the Police Ombudsman's findings of collusion in the case as "unsustainable in law".
Emma Rogan, whose father Adrian was murdered during the UVF attack on the bar, said the attack said the "truth had been suffocated" by Mr Justice McCloskey's ruling.
"Last Christmas, was the first Christmas since the atrocity whereby we felt that the truth had been set free and allowed to breath.
"This judgment, which has been delivered four days prior to Christmas Day, has devastated us all."
Solicitor for the families Niall Murphy said the facts in relation to he destruction of evidence in the case remain the same.
"None of these facts would have seen the light of day, but for the Police Ombudsman’s report, and the families are eternally grateful for the recovery of those facts, which are still facts, notwithstanding this judgment," he said.
The MP for South Down Chris Hazzard said it was "a bitterly disappointing ruling".
"There is a wealth of evidence already established regarding the scale of state collusion with the loyalist paramilitaries who carried out the Loughinisland massacre," the Sinn Féin representative said.
"Sinn Féin will continue to support the Loughinisland families in their campaign for truth and justice".
Former SDLP South Down MP Margaret Ritchie said the focus "must be on establishing institutions which deal with the past in an ethical and comprehensive way".
However, Ulster Unionist Policing spokesman Alan Chambers said Dr Maguire "should do the right thing and go now".
DUP Lagan Valley MP Jeffrey Donaldson also called on the ombudsman to "consider his position".
A spokesman for the Police Ombudsman's office said they were disappointed by the ruling adding: "We will need time over the coming weeks to consider it carefully.
"This judgment may have implications for how Northern Ireland deals with historical matters, affecting not only this office, but also proposed solutions such as the Historical Inquiries Unit".
