Cross-border investigation to be held into 1976 murder of Seamus Ludlow

Seamus Ludlow, 47, a forestry worker, was killed on his way home from a pub in Dundalk, Co Louth.

Mr Ludlow’s family have led a campaign spanning decades to find the truth of the events surrounding his murder.

His family has long maintained Mr Ludlow was an innocent victim of a loyalist death squad comprising Red Hand Commando operatives and two members of the Ulster Defence Regiment (UDR) who travelled from Northern Ireland into the Republic of Ireland to commit the murder.

Family solicitor Gavin Booth said the investigation will be led by Jon Boutcher, a former police chief in England.

Speaking at the Lisdoo Arms, where Mr Ludlow was last seen alive, Mr Booth also revealed that a witness has come forward with “significant information” in the last two weeks.

He added: “Seamus was a quiet man. He was a family man and occasionally visited pubs in Dundalk and was known for his charitable work here.

“He was not political and was not interested in the conflict in the North and worked full time and was a devoted family man.”

Joined by members of Mr Ludlow’s family, Mr Booth said the investigation will include cooperation of both the Police Service of Northern Ireland and An Garda Siochana.

“This investigation will be headed by Jon Boutcher who will look at the actions of all those who played a part in the role of the murder of Seamus Ludlow,” he added.

“This includes the gardai, the British Army, the SAS, the RUC and any unknown others, including those suspects that were let go.”

The RUC told the gardai in 1979 the names of four loyalists it suspected of being involved in Mr Ludlow’s killing but the information was not pursued at the time.

This included members of the Red Hand Commando and the British Army’s UDR.

In 1998, four named suspects were arrested and questioned by the RUC and two of the men allegedly made confessions about their involvement in the murder.

The family also believe gardai were complicit in spreading false rumours that Mr Ludlow was killed for being an IRA informant.

“He (Mr Boutcher) should also have the ability, where evidence exists, to chase that down and prepare files for either prosecution services North and South,” Mr Booth added.