Anniversary of Ormeau Road bookies murders remembered

Wreaths were laid on Sunday to mark the 25th anniversary of the Sean Graham bookmakers killings.
By The Newsroom
Published 5th Feb 2017, 19:32 BST
Updated 5th Feb 2017, 19:33 BST
Naomi Burns, granddaughter of victim Willie McManus, after laying her wreath at the memorialNaomi Burns, granddaughter of victim Willie McManus, after laying her wreath at the memorial
Naomi Burns, granddaughter of victim Willie McManus, after laying her wreath at the memorial

On February 5 1992, two loyalist paramilitaries burst into the Sean Graham bookmakers on the Ormeau Road and gunned down five Catholics aged between 15 and 66.

Claiming responsibility for the south Belfast murders, the UFF said it was in retaliation for the IRA murder of eight Protestant workmen at Teebane Crossroads in Co Tyrone the month before.

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Wreaths were laid to commemorate the 25th anniversary of the murder of Jack Duffin, Willie McManus, Christy Doherty, Peter Magee and James Kennedy.

One of those laying a wreath was Naomi Burns, granddaughter of Willie McManus.

The police ombudsman has been investigating the police handling of the original inquiry but the probe has been widened to include a total of 12 loyalist murders in south Belfast in the 1980s and 90s, UTV has reported.

It was reported the Ormeau families and Relatives For Justice have said they hope the ombudsman’s report will be published around Easter and back their claims of collusion.

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A report by Relatives For Justice based on evidence gathered by the Stevens Inquiry, the Cory Report and the HET report, claims a gun used in the attack was handed back to a UFF agent, that a key suspect was never arrested and that DNA evidence was not fully investigated.

Related topics:Belfast