Alleged collusion case over murder of three brothers adjourned suddenly as barrister raises 'professional difficulties'
A High Court battle over alleged security force collusion in the murder of three Catholic brothers was adjourned suddenly today after a PSNI and Ministry of Defence barrister raised “professional difficulties”.
The unexpected development could potentially result in changes to the defendants’ legal representation in the lawsuit brought by Eugene Reavey, the judge indicated.
Mr Reavey is suing the Chief Constable and MoD in connection with the killing of his brothers at their family home in Whitecross, Co Armagh back in January 1976.
Loyalist paramilitary gunmen entered the cottage and shot John Martin, Brian and Anthony Reavey while they were watching TV.
It is alleged that serving members of the Ulster Defence Regiment and the Royal Ulster Constabulary joined with a UVF gang in the plot to murder the three victims.
Mr Reavey is seeking damages for negligence, misfeasance in public office and trauma from his alleged treatment in the aftermath of the attack.
The shootings were carried out using a machine gun taken from a British army base at Glenanne, Co Armagh by a rogue UDR corporal in an “inside job” which had deadly consequences, the bereaved brother claims.
Mr Reavey has also told the court that a British soldier danced on his brothers’ blood-stained clothing while other military personnel subjected their mother to humiliating abuse as they returned from the mortuary.
On day three of the trial, former Historical Enquiries Team (HET) investigator Steve Morris was set to give evidence about allegations of collusion between members of the security forces and the Glenanne Gang.
Instead, however, counsel for the PSNI and MoD, Mark Robinson KC, announced that “professional difficulties” have arisen. No further details were given about why the action was unable to continue at this stage.
However, Mr Justice Kinney agreed to put proceedings on hold amid the potential issues around the defendants’ representation.
“Those issues may resolve themselves, they may lead to other lawyers needing to be involved in the case, they may lead to Mr Robinson and/or other members of his team removing themselves from the case,” he explained.
Adjourning until next week, the judge urged both sides to keep him informed of any further developments. He stressed: “I do not want to be told of issues coming here on Monday morning.”