Northern Ireland

Eugene Reavey fears his family will be denied justice if legacy bill passes

Nobody has ever been charged with the murders of John Martin (24), Brian (22) and 17-year-old Anthony
Nobody has ever been charged with the murders of John Martin (24), Brian (22) and 17-year-old Anthony Nobody has ever been charged with the murders of John Martin (24), Brian (22) and 17-year-old Anthony

A CO Armagh peace campaigner fears his family will be denied justice for the murder of his brothers due to British government plans to end Troubles-era prosecutions.

Eugene Reavey said he has serious concerns that the killers will never be brought before the courts if the legacy bill currently before parliament is passed.

The legislation would give amnesties to people accused of Troubles offences in return for co-operation with a new information recovery body, as well as ending future inquests and civil actions.

No-one has ever been charged with the murders of John Martin (24), Brian (22) and 17-year-old Anthony Reavey, who were gunned down in a sectarian attack at their parents' home in Whitecross, south Armagh on January 4 1976.

Their killers were members of the notorious loyalist Glennane Gang, which included UVF members and British army, RUC and UDR personnel.

In 2007, the Reavey family received an apology for their treatment in the aftermath of the murders.

But Eugene Reavey fears that the legacy bill, which is currently going through the House of Lords, could lead to those involved in killing his brothers evading responsibility.

"I’m not settling, I’ll push them to the pin of their collar," he said.

"I hope to have my day in court – I’ve got this far and I want to get further."

Legal proceedings will not begin until former English police chief Jon Boutcher releases the findings of an investigation into the Glenanne Gang.

"We have to wait until that report comes back," said Mr Reavey.

"It’ll be a very damning indictment, but we might never get to it if the legacy bill goes ahead."

He added that "if they get it through, that would be the end of the Jon Boutcher inquiry".