Northern Ireland

Fresh inquests ordered for five Catholic men killed by the UVF

Relatives of Phelim McNally, Tommy Casey, Sean Anderson, Dwayne O'Donnell and Thomas Armstrong arrive at the High Court in Belfast. Picture by Mal McCann.
Relatives of Phelim McNally, Tommy Casey, Sean Anderson, Dwayne O'Donnell and Thomas Armstrong arrive at the High Court in Belfast. Picture by Mal McCann. Relatives of Phelim McNally, Tommy Casey, Sean Anderson, Dwayne O'Donnell and Thomas Armstrong arrive at the High Court in Belfast. Picture by Mal McCann.
By Connla Young

New inquests have been ordered for five Catholic men murdered by the UVF more than 30 years ago.

The victims were shot dead across Co Tyrone between November 1988 and March 1991.

While the murders were claimed by the UVF, it is believed members of the UDR's 8th battalion were involved.

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During the Troubles members of the battalion were based in Cookstown, Dungannon and Aughnacloy.

Attorney General Brenda King recently ordered new inquests into all the murders after being presented with new evidence.

The victims include Phelim McNally (28), who was shot dead at the home of his brother, Sinn Féin councillor Francie McNally, in Ballinderry in November 1988.

Sinn Féin member Tommy Casey (57) was gunned down at Moveagh Road, outside Cookstown in October 1990 after arriving at the home of a friend.

A report by the Historical Enquiries Team (HET) into his death reveals that intelligence indicated the murder was carried out by the South Tyrone UVF and that three men named as being involved were UDR soldiers.

The report confirms that the suspects were arrested along with two others in December 1991.

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One of the additional two detained was also a UDR member.

The following year former republican prisoner Sean Anderson (32) was shot dead at Loughbracken Road in Pomeroy.

Mr Anderson, who was a regular visitor to the same house where Mr Casey was murdered, is believed to have been the intended target that night.

Thomas Armstrong (52) was killed during a gun attack at Boyle's Bar in Cappagh on in March 1991, which also claimed the life of IRA member Dwayne O’Donnell (17).

Two other republicans, Malcolm Nugent (20) and John Quinn (23) also lost their lives.

A HET report, which focused on the murder of Dwayne O’Donnell, reveals that in December 1991 three part-time members of the UDR were among four suspects arrested.

A fourth man, a relative of one of the UDR men, was also detained, the report confirmed.

The report says that intelligence was later received naming the three men as being responsible for Mr O’Donnell’s murder.

It also claims the UDR men “were also named as responsible for other murders”.

It is believed the three UDR men arrested in connection with Mr Casey's murder and the Cappagh case are the same soldiers.

Briege O'Donnell, mother of Dwayne O'Donnell and her daughter Seana hold a photograph of Dwayne. Picture by Mal McCann
Briege O'Donnell, mother of Dwayne O'Donnell and her daughter Seana hold a photograph of Dwayne. Picture by Mal McCann Briege O'Donnell, mother of Dwayne O'Donnell and her daughter Seana hold a photograph of Dwayne. Picture by Mal McCann

Dwayne O'Donnell's sister Seana Quinn said her family is "delighted" by news of the new inquest.

"We have to know the full facts of what happened our loved ones and we deserve that and being granted this inquest is a step closer to achieving that," she said.

Christopher McNally and his mother Pauline hold a photo of his father Phelim. Picture by Mal McCann
Christopher McNally and his mother Pauline hold a photo of his father Phelim. Picture by Mal McCann Christopher McNally and his mother Pauline hold a photo of his father Phelim. Picture by Mal McCann

Davina Bolton, daughter of Phelim McNally, said her father was an innocent man.

"He was out doing his daily things and he was robbed of his life," she said.

"This is an important day for us because we're finally moving forward and getting closer to the truth. We've been waiting for a long time for this, 35 years, we just need truth and justice."

Gavin Booth, of Phoenix Law, who acts for all the families, said the cases are linked through suspects, geography, and ballistics, and said he believes the cases involve collusion with state forces.

The decision to grant new inquests was taken on the basis of deficiencies in the original investigation and inquest as well as new information coming to light.

“New evidence which has come to light raises serious questions, not only about the involvement of the 8th Battalion of the UDR in all these killings, but also as regards the failure of the RUC to prosecute these individuals,” he said.

The direction for a new inquest comes as the British government's Legacy Bill, which will end Troubles investigations including inquests, continues to make its way through Westminster.

Sinn Féin MP Francie Molloy said: “The legacy mechanisms agreed at Stormont House by the two governments and political parties in 2014 should be implemented in a human rights' compliant manner."

SDLP assembly member Patsy McGlone said: “These cases again highlight the futility of the British government’s Legacy Bill which threatens to close down families’ route to truth and justice."