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PSNI pays damages to relatives of murdered UVF victims

Julian O'NeillCrime and justice correspondent, BBC News NI
News imagePacemaker Eight people look to the camera. Four men in a row behind a row of four woman. Three of the woman at the front hold framed pictures. All the women have handbags and wear coats. They stand outside, in front of black metal gates. Pacemaker
Speaking outside the High Court, relatives of the murdered four said the settlement is not the end of the matter

The Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) has paid undisclosed damages in connection with loyalist shootings in County Tyrone which left four Catholics dead.

Relatives of Charles and Teresa Fox and Kevin McKearney sued the police over the alleged involvement of state agents.

Along with John McKearney, they were murdered by the Ulster Volunteer Force (UVF) in two separate attacks carried out in Moy in 1992.

Kevin McKearney's widow, Bernie, said the settlement is "nice", but added: "Nobody is ever going to be held accountable.

"I feel we are never going to get justice."

Their solicitor, Gavin Booth, said the damages are "significant".

News imagePacemaker A photo of Charles (left) and Teresa Fox. Charles has short dark hair and wears a black jumper over a white shirt and purple tie. Pacemaker
Charles and Teresa Fox were found shot dead at their home

The High Court in Belfast heard the settlement followed negotiations and that the families were "relieved" the civil case is over.

The PSNI will also pay all costs.

Addressing the court, Mr Justice Rooney said he hoped the settlement would provide "some closure".

Stating that four innocent victims had been brutally murdered, he added: "I can't imagine the pain and suffering you have gone through."

He said the cases had been "close to my heart".

The government has previously rejected calls for a public inquiry into the murders - despite a coroner suggesting it is the best way forward.

Their inquests were stopped two years ago after sensitive intelligence information was not disclosed.

News imagePacemaker A black and white photo of a shop front with the name 'McKearney's' above its window. There is white tape and a two cars across it. Pacemaker
Kevin and Jack McKearney were attacked in the family butcher shop in Moy

Kevin McKearney, a father of four, was working behind the counter of the butcher shop on 3 January 1992 when a gunman walked in and shot him several times.

He died at the scene.

His 68-year-old uncle John - known as Jack - was shot and seriously wounded in the attack.

He died from his injuries three months later on 4 April 1992.

On 6 September 1992, Charles and Teresa Fox, aged 63 and 54 respectively, who had a family of six children, were shot dead in their home.

Their bodies were discovered by two of their children the morning after the attack.

The couple were the parents-in-law of Kevin McKearney.

News imagePacemaker A police man in black uniform has his back to the camera as he looks on at a single-storey beige house that has white police tape in front of it. Pacemaker
The bodies of Charles and Teresa Fox were discovered by two of their children at their home in Moy, Dungannon

Speaking outside the High Court, relatives said the settlement is not the end of the matter.

They want to know the details of the withheld intelligence.

However, Patricia Kearney, one of the Fox children, said: "There is a lot of information we will probably never get in our lifetime.

"If it was released it would be damaging and that's the way it has always been."

The families also sued the Ministry of Defence (MoD), but the court was told that action has now been discontinued.

Booth added: "To date we have had no inquest or no gist (of the intelligence) which stopped the inquest.

"While today is a step forward, we call on the Secretary of State to give them their inquest, or give them a public inquiry."