3 July 1997 Edition

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Judge slams RUC on Shanaghan case

By Michael Browne

  I don't see how you can reform the RUC. There is some talk of rotten apples in this barrel, but what you have here is a rotten orchard.  
Judge Andrew Somers

 
US Judge Andrew Somers, who presided over the independent public inquiry into the death of Castlederg Sinn Fein worker Patrick Shanaghan, this week attacked the RUC for its role in the events surrounding the 1991 murder, and the subsequent investigation. ``There is,'' he said, ``more than enough evidence here to point the finger of collusion. Either the RUC killed Patrick Shanaghan, or they directed his death.''

Speaking at the Belfast launch of the inquiry report on Tueday 1 July, he reiterated ``there is enough evidence in this report to indict the RUC, and if we had to, we could come up with the names of who was responsible. I found overwhelming evidence there to indict, ironically, since the RUC has taken the position it has nothing to answer.''

Somers queried the official inquest process, where the RUC role seemed to be one of keeping evidence out, rather than full investigation, and how, ``in many of these murders, there appears to be no movement towards prosecution.''

He attacked the ``total lack of RUC investigation'', citing their High Court injunction preventing a Home Office forensic expert from submitting evidence on the family's behalf. ``Why are these people denied law, authority, left without any kind of legal protection?''

Somers also announced his intention to publicise the case in the US, by raising it in Congress, where, he said, a growing number of Congressmen were pressing for answers on a range of related issues concerning British activity in the north, saying: ``What happended to Patrick Sahnaghan, somehow it has to stop.''

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The report can be obtained from: Castlederg/Aghyaran Justice Group, 84 Hillview Park, Castlederg, County Tyrone, BT1 7PR, for £3 (inc. p&p).

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