PSNI pays damages to relatives of murdered UVF victims

Published3 hours ago

The Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) has paid undisclosed damages in connection with loyalist shootings in County Tyrone which left four Catholics dead.

Relatives of Charles and Teresa Fox and Kevin McKearney sued the police over the alleged involvement of state agents.

Along with John McKearney, they were murdered by the Ulster Volunteer Force (UVF) in two separate attacks carried out in Moy in 1992.

Kevin McKearney's widow, Bernie, said the settlement is "nice", but added: "Nobody is ever going to be held accountable.

"I feel we are never going to get justice."

Their solicitor, Gavin Booth, said the damages are "significant".

The High Court in Belfast heard the settlement followed negotiations and that the families were "relieved" the civil case is over.

The PSNI will also pay all costs.

Addressing the court, Mr Justice Rooney said he hoped the settlement would provide "some closure".

Stating that four innocent victims had been brutally murdered, he added: "I can't imagine the pain and suffering you have gone through."

He said the cases had been "close to my heart".

The government has previously rejected calls for a public inquiry into the murders - despite a coroner suggesting it is the best way forward.

Their inquests were stopped two years ago after sensitive intelligence information was not disclosed.

Kevin McKearney, a father of four, was working behind the counter of the butcher shop on 3 January 1992 when a gunman walked in and shot him several times.

He died at the scene.

His 68-year-old uncle John - known as Jack - was shot and seriously wounded in the attack.

He died from his injuries three months later on 4 April 1992.

On 6 September 1992, Charles and Teresa Fox, aged 63 and 54 respectively, who had a family of six children, were shot dead in their home.

Their bodies were discovered by two of their children the morning after the attack.

The couple were the parents-in-law of Kevin McKearney.

Speaking outside the High Court, relatives said the settlement is not the end of the matter.

They want to know the details of the withheld intelligence.

However, Patricia Kearney, one of the Fox children, said: "There is a lot of information we will probably never get in our lifetime.

"If it was released it would be damaging and that's the way it has always been."

The families also sued the Ministry of Defence (MoD), but the court was told that action has now been discontinued.

Booth added: "To date we have had no inquest or no gist (of the intelligence) which stopped the inquest.

"While today is a step forward, we call on the Secretary of State to give them their inquest, or give them a public inquiry."

Related topics

Northern Ireland

Moy

The Troubles

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