UVF attack survivors receive millions in compensation
Quick Look
- Eight survivors of a 1992 UVF gun attack at a County Down pub have been awarded millions in compensation.
- While calling it a victory, one survivor stated the money doesn't change the fact that the perpetrators haven't been brought to justice.
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Why It Matters
Eight survivors of a 1992 UVF gun attack at the Thierafurth Inn in Kilcoo, County Down, have been awarded millions in compensation after suing over allegations of state collusion. One victim, Peter McCormack, was killed in the attack.
A survivor of a UVF gun attack at a County Down pub has said money paid out by the PSNI and Ministry of Defence (MoD) "doesn't change" that those who carried out the attack have not been brought to justice.
John McEvoy is one of eight survivors awarded compensation totalling millions of pounds following a High Court hearing in Belfast.
The exact figure was not disclosed but it is believed to be one of the largest payouts involving a Troubles case.
Peter McCormack, 42, was killed when two gunmen opened fire inside the packed Thierafurth Inn in Kilcoo in 1992 during a charity darts match.
McEvoy, who was behind the bar on the night of the attack, said he felt it was "a victory for us" but also said that compensation "doesn't change that those who did it are still out there".
"We waited a long time for this. It's 34 years now from the shooting. It never goes out of your mind. It's with you all the time," he added.
Eight survivors sued over allegations of state collusion in the attack.
In a statement, the PSNI said: "The terms of the settlement are confidential and out of respect for those involved, we will not publicly discuss or comment on the specifics of the case."
Four years ago, the High Court ruled the PSNI had failed to carry out an effective investigation.
One of the suspects was a member of the British Army's Ulster Defence Regiment (UDR).
The UVF said they had been trying to kill a named republican who was not at the pub at the time and who they had targeted using photo montages taken from a UDR base.
The gang was also involved in other murders in County Down, including the Loughinisland massacre.
In 2016, a Police Ombudsman report stated at least three individuals and their families, directly associated with the UVF in south County Down, were members of the UDR.
It added that there had been no sustained response by the police to disrupt their activities.
Open Questions
- Will those responsible for the attack face criminal charges?
- What further investigations will follow regarding state collusion?
