Louth family ‘failed for far too long’ over Ludlow murder enquiry
The case of murdered Dundalk man Seamus Ludlow was again raised in the Dáil, as renewed calls were made for senior justice officials to meet his family following the 50th anniversary of his death.
Mr Ludlow, who was 47, was killed on May 2nd, 1976, in what is now known to have been a sectarian attack carried out by loyalist paramilitaries. No one has ever been charged in connection with his murder.
Speaking in Leinster House, Louth TD Ruairí Ó Murchú told Taoiseach Micheál Martin that the Ludlow family have been “failed for far too long” and urged that both the Minister for Justice and the Garda Commissioner engage directly with them.
Deputy Ó Murchú said: “The initial Garda investigation shut up shop within three weeks. The RUC provided the names of those believed to be involved back in 1979.
“We are talking about loyalists and some of them were members of the British Army. They were questioned in 1998 by the RUC. Admissions were made in relation to a number of them being there when the murder happened.
“They had a moment of hope with a new investigation but what they discovered was a new witness, who was not even questioned during that investigation, had seen suspicious activity in a car the morning Seamus was found that turned out to be connected to SAS incursion that happened soon after in Omeath”.
He said there had been ‘no action over the years’ and the family have had to go to court and to the European Parliament. Deputy Ó Murchú said the family has not been properly supported.
Deputy Ó Murchú said: “This is not acceptable in any way, shape or form. There is a need for the Minister for justice and Garda Commissioner to meet the family who have been failed for far too long”.
The Taoiseach said he could assure the Dundalk TD that he will ‘talk to the talk to the authorities about the murder of Seamus Ludlow’.
Mr Martin said: “Whether it falls within the legacy framework or not, that is perhaps the best avenue to pursue it. If we can get the legislation completed in Westminster and here, we will. That is an important aspect of it.
“Even though it happened in 1976 the trauma goes on for the second generation - the grandchildren, cousins and nieces - and the need for closure continues with each succeeding generation”.