Latest news with #LoyalistVolunteerForce
BBC News
10-06-2025
- BBC News
Sean Brown witness speaks about suspect sighting for first time
An eyewitness in the Sean Brown case said he was "baffled" that a female suspect he picked out of an identity parade shortly after the murder was released without Brown, 61, was abducted by the Loyalist Volunteer Force at a GAA club in Bellaghy, County Londonderry, and shot dead near Randalstown, County Antrim, in eyewitness, who is speaking publicly for the first time, saw the woman with two men in a car at the club the night before the murder in what is suspected to have been a scouting Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) said the Brown family had too many unanswered questions and those questions were "valid". In 2024 a court heard more than 25 people, including state agents, had been linked by intelligence to Mr Brown's information the eyewitness provided about the woman and the car, a white Vauxhall Nova, was central to a fresh PSNI probe and BBC Crimewatch appeal in BBC is calling the witness John to disguise his identity because of his fear of told Spotlight what happened the night before the murder of Mr Brown, who was chairman of the Bellaghy club."I was the last one going out. Sean was still there to lock up," he said."I just thought it was just someone turning at the front of the club."The lady that was driving the car stared me straight in the face."There was two men and they were hiding their faces." John told the Spotlight programme, Murder Without Answers, that he took his information to the Royal Ulster Constabulary (RUC) shortly after Mr Brown's helped compile a photofit and was then brought to Belfast to an identity parade."I picked her out right away. I seen the same face right away," he said."The woman constable was standing beside me, and she says, yes we have her."John said that after the identity parade he was shocked when the woman he picked out and other suspects were released."I went home and kept listening to the radio, watching TV and a couple of days later these people were let out without charge," he said."It left me baffled. I'm still thinking – why?"A Police Ombudsman examination of the case in 2004 found the original RUC investigation was "incomplete and inadequate".It has since emerged some intelligence information was not provided to the ombudsman at the time. No-one has ever been charged over Mr Brown's murder and it is now known that intelligence was withheld from detectives in both the original RUC probe and the re-investigation by the a statement to Spotlight, the PSNI said Mr Brown was a "pillar of the community" and his family had a right to know what added that it had previously apologised to the Brown family for failings in the RUC investigation and was sorry for what was discovered during new Brown's daughter Clare Loughran told Spotlight that receiving information about state agents last year confirmed her family's suspicions."I felt physically sick," she said."The wave of emotion was incredible. It was very, very difficult to hear." Her sister Siobhán Brown said it prompted further questions:"You'd wonder why first of all, how long has this been planned for. What or who was involved?" she said."Who gave the order from on high to say Sean Brown has to be taken out?"The Brown family have long campaigned for a public inquiry into the government has appealed a court ruling that found it should hold a public inquiry, arguing it was not an issue which the courts should also believes the implications of the court ruling would go beyond the Brown Ireland Secretary Hilary Benn said he expressed his deepest sympathy to the Brown family for the many years they have waited for said he intended to ensure the Independent Commission for Reconciliation and Information Recovery (ICRIR), established under the Legacy Act, would be able to carry out an investigation comparable to a public some victims' families say the ICRIR does not have the powers to investigate such ICRIR told Spotlight that proposed legislative reforms could result in it being able to have human rights compliant hearings led by an independent judge.
Yahoo
16-05-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Thousands attend Sean Brown public demonstration
Thousands of people have attended a public demonstration in Bellaghy in support of the family of murdered GAA official Sean Brown. Mr Brown, a father of six, was abducted and shot dead by members of the Loyalist Volunteer Force (LVF) as he locked gates at Bellaghy GAA club, County Londonderry, in 1997. He was 61 years old when he died. The family of Mr Brown have sought to have a public inquiry heard into his murder. Earlier this month, the Court of Appeal affirmed a previous court ruling, compelling the UK government to hold a public inquiry into his killing. The government said it intends to seek a Supreme Court appeal over the ruling. A previous court also ruled that the government's refusal to hold an inquiry was unlawful. There have been two police investigations and a Police Ombudsman investigation into Mr Brown's murder. The demonstration, which organisers called The Walk For Truth, left from St Mary's Church in Bellaghy on Friday evening. Thousands of people made their way to Páirc Seán de Brún. Others lined the route clapping the car in which Mr Brown's 87-year-old widow Bridie travelled. Behind the car, her children and grandchildren marched with a banner demanding justice. Sean Brown's daughter Siobhan Brown said the level of support from people had been "unbelievable". "No words can explain exactly how much we appreciate the number of people that have come here from all parts of Ireland," she told BBC News NI. "I hope the British government will take note that the people of Ireland are speaking and the GAA people in particular are totally invested and behind the Brown family." Also in attendance were Sinn Féin leader Mary Lou McDonald, First Minister Michelle O'Neill and GAA President Jarlath Burns. McDonald said "all of Ireland" is behind the Brown family's campaign for a public inquiry. "The British government know what they need to do. They need to establish the public inquiry and allow Brown family all of these years later simply to have the truth," she said. O'Neill said the demonstration had sent the British government a message. "I would say to (Northern Ireland Secretary ) Hillary Benn and the British government, take a look, take a look at what's happened here in Bellaghy tonight. "The message couldn't be clearer from here, get on with it, do what is right and proper. "Give the Browns the public inquiry, let them know what exactly what happened. That's all they want, the truth about what happened to Sean Brown," she said. People from all over Ireland joined the march in support of the Brown family. The family said it's the largest demonstration that has been held for their fight for a public inquiry. Mr Brown's family met Irish deputy premier Simon Harris earlier this week as part of their campaign to see a public inquiry heard. Mr Brown was locking the gates of GAA club Bellaghy Wolfe Tones when he was kidnapped by the Loyalist Volunteer Force ( LVF). Early last year, a court heard more than 25 people, including state agents, had been linked by intelligence material to Mr Brown's murder. In March 2024 a coroner said Mr Brown's inquest could not continue due to material being withheld on the grounds of national security. He decided that redactions of intelligence material meant he could not properly investigate the circumstances of the killing. Instead, he wrote to the then Northern Ireland Secretary Chris Heaton-Harris, requesting a public inquiry into the case. In December, the High Court ruled that Hilary Benn must set up a public inquiry into the murder. The government then appealed against that ruling, mounting a legal challenge to the Court of Appeal. However, Lady Chief Justice Dame Siobhan Keegan said it was "a shocking state of affairs" that more than 25 years had passed but there had been no "lawful inquiry into the circumstances" of Mr Brown's death. After that ruling, Mr Brown's family said Benn should "do the right thing". Mr Brown's widow spoke directly to the NI secretary, saying: "Five judges have told you what to do, do the right thing and please don't have me going to London." Family of murdered GAA official meet Irish deputy PM Government to seek Supreme Court appeal in Sean Brown case 'Disgraceful' government has disrespected family - Sean Brown's daughter
Yahoo
12-05-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Family of murdered GAA official meet Irish deputy PM
The family of murdered GAA official Sean Brown have said they had a "very positive" meeting with the Tánaiste (Irish Deputy Prime Minister) Simon Harris and that they left him in "no doubt" about their ongoing campaign for a public inquiry into the murder. The meeting at Government Buildings in Dublin on Monday took place on the 28th anniversary of Mr Brown's death. The father of six was abducted and shot dead by members of the Loyalist Volunteer Force (LVF) as he locked gates at Bellaghy GAA club, County Londonderry, in 1997. He was 61 years old when he died. Mr Brown's 87-year-old wife Bridie attended the meeting, alongside her daughters Siobhan Brown and Clare Loughran. Speaking afterwards, Siobhan said the tánaiste had been "very emphatic" about their father's case. She said: "We have made it known what we need." Earlier this month, the Court of Appeal affirmed a previous court ruling compelling the UK government to hold a public inquiry into his killing. The government said it intends to seek a Supreme Court appeal over the ruling ordering it to hold a public inquiry. A previous court also ruled that the government's refusal to hold an inquiry was unlawful. There have been two police investigations and a Police Ombudsman investigation into Mr Brown's murder. During the meeting, Harris told the Brown family the absence of an effective investigation into Sean Brown's death was "simply unacceptable". He also commended Bridie Brown and her family on their tireless campaign for truth over the last 28 years. Speaking afterwards, he said the anniversary of Mr Brown's death was a stark reminder his family have "waited far too long for truth and accountability". "I reiterated this point, as I have previously, to the secretary of state for Northern Ireland in a phone call with him last Friday," he said. "I say it again today and I will continue to use every channel available to me to pursue this matter. "In the absence of an effective investigation into his death – which the UK government agrees has not yet taken place – the passage of time makes this increasingly pressing." GAA President Jarlath Burns was also part of the delegation in support of the Brown family. He said he was also there to represent the support of "all GAA people". Mr Burns said he was "heartened" by what he heard from the tánaiste, adding that the Irish government had lent its support "right from the beginning" and the campaign knew that "it will continue". Last year during an inquest, it emerged that more than 25 people, including state agents, had been linked by intelligence material to Mr Brown's murder. In March 2024, a coroner said the inquest could not continue due to material being withheld on the grounds of national security. He decided that redactions of intelligence material meant he could not properly investigate the circumstances of the killing. The coroner later wrote to the then secretary of state, Chris Heaton-Harris, requesting a public inquiry into the case. Benn should 'do the right thing' after murdered GAA official court ruling Government to challenge Sean Brown public inquiry ruling
RTÉ News
12-05-2025
- Politics
- RTÉ News
Family of murdered GAA chairman Sean Brown to meet the Tánaiste
The family of murdered GAA chairman Sean Brown is to meet the Tánaiste Simon Harris in Dublin later, marking the 28th anniversary of his death. The family will arrive for talks at Government Buildings at 5pm. Mr Brown was abducted and shot dead by members of the Loyalist Volunteer Force as he locked up Bellaghy GAA club in Co Derry in 1997. Northern Ireland's Court of Appeal has affirmed a court order that the UK government should hold a public inquiry into the killing. The UK Government has said it intends to appeal the order to the Supreme Court in London. During an inquest it emerged that several agents of the British state were linked by intelligence to involvement in the murder. It was the first time such information had emerged despite several previous investigations. The inquest was stopped when the coroner ruled that the process was not able to properly deal with redacted intelligence material. The coroner later suggested that a public inquiry was the only avenue which could properly hear such evidence in closed sessions.
BBC News
02-05-2025
- BBC News
Martin O'Hagan: Man charged with fraud in journalist murder investigation
A man charged with fraud by false representation in relation to the investigation into the murder of journalist Martin O'Hagan has appeared in court in Craigavon.42-year-old Michael Kingsberry of Sycamore Close in Doncaster is accused of claiming to hold official documents with the intention to make a gain for himself or another or to cause loss to the family of Martin O' details of the alleged offence were presented in court but Mr Kingsberry said he understood the charge against him and a detective constable said she could connect the accused to the Kingsberry had been on police bail - this was converted to court bail of £500. He is to reside at an approved address. Other requirements include that Mr Kingsberry does not contact anyone connected to Mr O'Hagan or enter Lurgan's 30mph matter will return to court on 13 Kingsberry was arrested in Sheffield in April before being transported to Northern Ireland for questioning in the serious crime suite at Musgrave Police Station in Belfast.A search of a property in Sheffield was also carried out as part of the operation. Who was Martin O'Hagan? Mr O'Hagan was 51 years old when he was killed as he walked home with his wife from a pub on 28 September was a journalist for the Sunday World newspaper when he was shot dead by the Loyalist Volunteer Force (LVF).He was the first working journalist to be killed in Northern Ireland since the outbreak of the Troubles in a reporter for the newspaper, he had built a reputation for stories which exposed paramilitaries and drug dealers operating in Northern has ever been convicted for his murder. Charges brought against individuals in 2010 and 2011 were withdrawn.
