The Irish Independent, 19 July 2002:

THE ATTORNEY General has directed that a new inquest be opened into the death of Dundalk man Seamus Ludlow, who was allegedly murdered by loyalists 26 years ago. Mr Ludlow's family believes he was murdered in May 1976 by a gang of four loyalists, including two UDR members, and has been campaigning for a full public inquiry into his death.

It was claimed that the IRA murdered him because he was an informer, but republican sources later dismissed this. Mr Ludlow is believed to have been targeted at random. He was shot and his body dumped near his home. No-one claimed responsibility.

Yesterday, Louth County Coroner Ronan Maguire BL confirmed he had been directed by Attorney General Rory Brady "to open a completely fresh inquest".

The original inquest was held in Dundalk in August 1976, but no ballistic or forensic evidence was given.

The Police Ombudsman of Northern Ireland, Ms Nuala O'Loan, told the family earlier this year that two of the bullets used in the murder were sent to the RUC in the late 1970s for tests to see if they were linked to the murder of a man in Co Down in 1976. In 1999 the RUC arrested four men on suspicion of being involved in Mr Ludlow's murder, but the DPP in Northern Ireland decided not to prosecute. The inquest is expected to take place in Dundalk before the end of this year.

Elaine Keogh

I Barron Inquiry I I Terms of reference for Barron Inquiry I

The Dundalk Democrat, 20 July 2002: Second inquest to be held into the death of Seamus Ludlow

The Irish News, 19 July 2002: Family welcome inquest 26 years after murder

Copyright © 2002 the Ludlow family. All rights reserved.
Revised: March 12, 2005 .