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The Belfast Telegraph, 5 November 2005:

Loyalist named in Ludlow murder inquiry admits:

I Was There But I Didn't Kill Him

By Michael McHugh


A FORMER loyalist, named during an Irish judicial
investigation into the murder of an innocent County Louth
man, has dramatically admitted he was present when the
victim was killed.

But Paul Hosking, from County Down, has vigorously
protested his innocence of any involvement in the murder of
Seamus Ludlow in May 1976.

"These boys came down to the bar I was drinking in; I was
in the UDA at the time," Hosking said yesterday.

"We all went out for a drink and then we took a drive. I
was in the car and we picked up this guy."

He added: "The guy got out of the car to go to the toilet
and he was shot."

The Irish Justice Committee is to investigate further
issues arising from an explosive report from Mr Justice
Henry Barron, which was published on Thursday.

His report, which is privileged in law, named four men
alleged to have been in the car which picked up Mr Ludlow
on the night of his death.

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The Belfast Telegraph, 5 November 2005:

Ludlow Murder Witness Battles To Clear His Name

A FORMER loyalist linked with the murder of a Co Louth man has moved to clear his name despite admitting witnessing the shooting.

Paul Hosking from Co Down has vigorously protested his innocence of any involvement in the murder of Seamus Ludlow in May 1976, and claimed he and his family have been victimised over the incident.

The Irish Justice Committee is to investigate further issues arising from a landmark report on the killing from Mr Justice Henry Barron, which was published on Thursday.

His report, which is privileged in law, named four men alleged to have been in the car which picked up Mr Ludlow on the night of his death.

Speaking from his home in Newtownards, Mr Hosking told the Belfast Telegraph last night: "These boys came down to the bar I was drinking in. I was in the UDA at the time.

"We all went out for a drink and then we took a drive. I was in the car and we picked up this guy. The guy got out of the car to go to the toilet and he was shot."

Mr Ludlow was collected in the car in the centre of Dundalk and shot and his body dumped close to his Thistle Cross home north of the town.

The Barron Report described Mr Ludlow as the innocent victim of a "random sectarian killing of a blameless Catholic civilian".

Mr Hosking has been interviewed twice by RUC detectives, in 1986 and 1998, but has never been charged with any offence.

The loyalist said he was tired of having the finger of blame pointed at him and added that he may make a submission to the Irish Justice Committee, which will consider the report in January.

"This has been going on for years and I am fed up with it," he said. "I feel like I am the victim, it is awful for my family and they have gone through hell."

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See also: The News of the World, 6 November 2005: I'm no killer, says 'branded' UDA man Loyalist hits at Report; and The Sunday Life, 6 November 2005: 'Murder car' man feels like a victim

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Copyright © 2005 the Ludlow family. All rights reserved.
Revised: November 15, 2005