Dublin UVF victim’s family to sue PSNI Chief Constable

Photo credit: Suzanne Mischyshyn (CC BY-SA 2.0)

Legal proceedings against the Chief Constable of the Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) are to be lodged at the High Court in Belfast by the family of a man killed by the UVF in Dublin.

The family of Martin Doherty, who was shot dead in 1994, are suing Chief Constable George Hamilton in the belief that Mr Doherty’s death could have been prevented if the Royal Ulster Constabulary (RUC) shared crucial information with gardaí.

Mr Doherty, 35, was shot outside the Widow Scallans pub after trying to prevent two men from entering with a large bag.

The bag was later discovered to contain an 18 lb bomb which failed to detonate properly.

Mr Doherty’s 1994 shooting was the first recorded murder by the UVF in the Republic of Ireland since 1975.

The family’s lawyers say the attack “could have been prevented if information known by RUC Special Branch had been provided to the An Garda Síochána”.

The statement of claim reads: “The deceased’s personal injuries and death were the result of the shooting that the defendants knew or suspected would occur as a result of the plan to commit premeditated murders at Widow Scallans pub.

“The Dublin bombing and shooting was carried out by loyalist paramilitaries of the UVF, some of whom who were agents of the defendant, and were assisted by members of the RUC in their terrorist activities.”

Assistant Chief Constable Will Kerr told the Irish Times that it would be inappropriate to comment on a pending case.