Celtic League, 21 September 2002:
CELTIC LEAGUE PRESS INFORMATION
AHERN LUDLOW MURDER RESPONSE DISAPPOINTING
"almost as if casting a light on the darker side of these British Special Operations in Ireland was now an embarrassment to be set aside".
The Taoiseach has deflected concerns expressed by the Celtic League about his
governments failure to concede a full public enquiry into the death of Co. Louth
Forestry Worker, Seamus Ludlow.
The Celtic League had written to Mr. Ahern following consideration of the issue
at the organisations AGM held on the Isle of Man in July. The League have, for
sometime, supported calls by the family of Mr. Ludlow, for a full independent
public enquiry into his murder in 1976.
In July League Secretary General, Bernard Moffatt, told the AGM that there were
substantial allegations that the murder was committed by a loyalist murder gang
which may have had links to British Security Services in the North of Ireland.
The issue is one of a number of unresolved killings and bombings thought to be
linked to the British Intelligence Services. He went on to express a view that
there seemed in some instances to be almost a conspiracy to frustrate those
organisations, mainly relatives groups, in Ireland anxious to learn the truth
about the activities of the British Intelligence Services and their surrogates
from the Loyalist paramilitary groups who killed, bombed and maimed in the
1970s. It was almost as if casting a light on the darker side of these British
Special Operations in Ireland was now an embarrassment
to be set aside.
It was resolved that:
Whilst welcoming the decision of Attorney General, Rory Brady, to instruct the
Coroner for County Louth, Mr. Ronan Maguire BL, to hold an inquest into the
death of Seamus Ludlow, the Celtic League reiterates its support for the Ludlow
families request for a full and independent public enquiry."
A response from David Feeney Private Secretary to the Taoiseach says:
"In reply the Taoiseach has asked me to say that earlier this year the
Government asked former Supreme Court Judge, Henry Barron who is also examining
the Dublin, Monaghan and Dundalk bombings to carry out an examination of the
murder of Seamus Ludlow and the circumstances surrounding it. Judge Barron is
due to report in the near future and the government is committed to publishing
his report. It is intended that the report will be considered by the Oireachtas
which will recommend as to what if any form of public examination will be
required".
The reply is extremely disappointing. Experience tells us that selective
examination of matters of this nature, however eminent the Justice involved,
lack the 'cauterising' ability of a full public enquiry to unearth the truth.
Bernard Moffatt
Secretary General
Celtic League
21/09/02
The Celtic League has branches in the six Celtic Countries. It works to promote
cooperation between these countries and campaigns on a broad range of political,
cultural and environmental matters. It focuses on human rights abuse and civil
liberty issues and also monitors the impact of military activity.
TEL + (0)1624 877918 MOBILE + (0)7624 491609
Internet site at
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I Homepage I I Top I I Press Coverage I I BIRW Report II Barron Inquiry I I Terms of reference for Barron Inquiry I I Fresh Inquest I I New Guest Book I
Previous Statements from the Celtic League
No.164 MURDER GANG ENQUIRY CALL - 10/30/2000
No.239 LUDLOW MURDER - PROPOSALS SOON - 2/1/2001
No.346 LUDLOW - GOVT URGED TO HEED ENQUIRY CALL - 4/30/2001
No.362 MINISTER EVASIVE ON LUDLOW QUERY - 5/15/2001
LUDLOW MURDER DRAMATIC DEVELOPMENT - 07/17/02
LOUTH
MURDER - ENQUIRY CALL SUPPORT - 07/28/02
Press Reports
The Argus, 27 August 1976: Inquest hears of North Louth shooting
Monaghan County of Intrigue (1979) by the late Michael Cunningham: Quoting from Mr. Cunningham's account of his private investigation of Seamus Ludlow's murder.
The Argus, special report 30 August 1985: On May 1st 1974, a forestry worker left his home to go for a drink: the following day his bullet riddled body was found. Nine years later we ask: WHO KILLED SEAMUS LUDLOW?
The Irish Independent, 19 July 2002: Fresh inquest into death of murdered man
The Irish News, 19 July 2002: Family welcome inquest 26 years after murder
The Irish Times, 19 July 2002: New inquest ordered into Louth man's death
The Dundalk Democrat, 20 July 2002: Second inquest to be held into the death of Seamus Ludlow
The Irish Examiner Online - Breaking News, 29 July 2002: Call for public inquiry into 1976 murder
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