RELATIVES of an IRA man believed to have been killed by the Military Reaction Force but not included in the PSNI investigation into the unit are set to launch legal action.

The PSNIs Legacy Investigation Branch recently sent files relating to the activities of the British army unit to the Public Prosecution Service.

However, loved ones of some of those not included in the high-profile probe are preparing for legal action.

Pre-action judicial review letters have recently been sent to the PSNI and PPS in relation to the case.

Daniel McAreavey (21) was shot at the junction of Bosnia Street and Plevna Street in the lower Falls area following a republican bomb attack in October 1972.

The British army later claimed that he was shot by a passing patrol after a blast bomb attack at a nearby observation post and shots were fired at troops.

Documents later uncovered by the research charity Paper Trail revealed that the republican was in fact targeted in a planned ambush.

Solicitor Kevin Winters, of KRW Law, said: “Given recent British government pronouncements on the conflict we are seeing an even greater need for judicial intervention on contentious killings."