Published Friday, 03 February 2012
The widow of a man shot in Loughinisland massacre is appealing a report. (© UTV)
Six Catholics were killed and five others were seriously wounded when UVF gunmen opened fire at the Heights Bar in Co Down in 1994.
Barney Green was 87 when the shooting took place, making him one of the oldest victims of the Troubles.
His wife Brigid is seeking to have the Police Ombudsman's report quashed.
No one has been convicted of the murders, although 16 people have been arrested in connection with the attack.
Victims' relatives suspect the RUC investigation was undermined in order to protect informants.
But in June last year Mr Hutchinson found there was insufficient evidence of collusion between police and the loyalist gang.
The ombudsman did identify failings in the investigation, criticising it for a lack of diligence, focus and leadership.
His report is now to be the subject of a legal challenge which will also focus on a Criminal Justice Inspectorate review of Troubles-related investigations.
That hearing was put on hold on Friday while lawyers for Mrs Green contest a decision to refuse legal aid funding for their case.
A judge is expected to decide on the issue of funding following further submissions later this month.
However, Mrs Green's case against the Ombudsman is not thought to depend on securing legal aid.
Outside the court her solicitor, Paul Pierce, of Kevin R Winters and Co, said: "Our challenge to the Police
Ombudsman's report has been brought because of a number of significant failings in the investigation.
"These include those pointed out by the Criminal Justice Inspectorate."