The son of an IRA man shot dead in the first of a series of shoot-to-kill operations 40 years ago has said he will never give up his fight for the truth.
Unarmed republicans Gervais McKerr (31), Eugene Toman (21) and Sean Burns (21) were shot dead near Lurgan in Co Armagh on November 11, 1982.
Their killings were the first of six carried out by the same RUC unit in north Armagh over a five week period four decades ago.
The shootings were investigated by the deputy chief constable of Greater Manchester Police John Stalker.
He later claimed his enquiries were hampered and he was eventually removed from the investigation.
His findings have never been made public.
The other controversial killings examined by Stalker included that of Catholic teenager Michael Tighe (17) at a hay shed near Craigavon.
Weeks later on December 12, INLA members Seamus Grew (30) and Roddy Carroll (21), who were also unarmed, were shot dead at Killylea Road, outside Armagh.
Republicans claim that in the hours before they were killed the three men had been in Mr McKerr's home drinking tea while waiting for a lift to a safe house.
Mr Toman and Mr Burns, who had been under surveillance, were suspected of involved in an IRA bomb attack at Kinnego Embankment, near Lurgan, that claimed the lives of three RUC officers two weeks before they were themselves killed.
At the time the RUC claimed the IRA men had driven through a check-point and were pursued before being fired on but this is strongly disputed by relatives.
A total of 109 bullets were fired into the car they were travelling in, which was driven by Mr McKerr.
Three RUC officers charged with murder were later acquitted.
Several attempts to hold an inquest, resulting in numerous hearings, into their deaths have been abandoned over the past four decades.
The latest inquest opened in 2007 but has yet to hear any evidence.
Mr McKerr's son Jonathan last night spoke of the impact his father's death has had on his family.
"Basically it smashed our family to bits," he said.
"You never really get over the likes of that especially if you are trying to fight to get the truth out about his death."
He said his mother Eleanor, who died aged 43 in 1996, "never really got over my daddy".
His brother David died in 2010 aged 30.
Mr McKerr is critical of the British government legacy bill, which proposes to introduce a Troubles amnesty, halt civil cases and allow only some inquests.
"It's a complete insult to families and everyone fighting for truth.
"Justice delayed is justice denied.
"We are never, ever giving up the fight for my daddy."
Fearghál Shiels, of Madden and Finucane Solicitors, said: "These inquests must be heard as a matter of priority," he said.
