HET contacts Claudy families

Published Friday, 27 August 2010
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The Historical Enquiries Team is in the process of contacting families of victims and survivors of the 1972 Claudy bombing after a Police Ombudsman report found police, church and state colluded to protect a chief suspect.

Father James Chesney was never questioned by police despite being suspected of involvement in the atrocity.

The investigation into the attack, which killed nine people and injured dozens in the Co Londonderry village, is now under the remit of the HET.

In a statement, the HET said it was contacting families "to offer to meet them and ask if they wish to become involved in a review of the case."

"The HET has not completed a review and appreciates that the families had been awaiting the findings of the Police Ombudsman's inquiry, which they received on Tuesday."

Gordon Millar, who lost his father in the car bombings, has welcomed the move.

"It gives us a bit of hope now," he told UTV. "After the Police Ombudsman's report we were just thinking everything was back to square one again.

"But this gives us a good bit of hope that people are now starting to enquire into it.

"All I want is answers and the truth. That's all I ever wanted and if we can get it then all the better."

The Ombudsman's report found that the Claudy victims were "failed" by a "collusive act" between the RUC, the Government and the Church, "compromising" the investigation into the attack.

Secretary of State Owen Paterson, who apologised for the cover-up on behalf of the UK Government, rejected calls for a public inquiry as "all the main players are now dead".

Fr Chesney was transferred in 1973 to a parish in Co Donegal outside the Northern Ireland jurisdiction, where he died in 1980.

Following the publication of the report, Cardinal Sean Brady denied that the Catholic Church covered up his alleged activities.

No-one has ever been charged in connection with the Claudy murders, which happened hours after British troops stormed republican no-go areas in Derry as part of Operation Motorman.

© UTV News
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2 Comments
sam in antrim wrote (635 days ago):
just another reason for these english cops to hang around and bleed the budget dry,really when is this all gunna stop time to move on yes i know its hard but whats the point dwelling on the past
lorna in limavady wrote (635 days ago):
I hope they would be hampered by red tape . Are we ready to accept what the troubles is throwing back at us ? The truth can be a bitter pill but the victims need answers. If we aim to move on and accept that there were people in our country who hid behind a robe of respectability but behind backs they were just as evil as the people sent to do damage. At least Rev Ian did show a face and people knew where he stood. He is strangely quiet now
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