Belfast court grants judicial review of Glenanne murders inquiry

A legal challenge into the alleged failure to properly investigate a loyalist unit suspected of carrying out more than 100 murders is to proceed to a full hearing. Leave to seek a judicial review of how police investigated the activities of the so-called Glenanne gang during the 1970s was granted at the High Court in Belfast today.

The brother of one schoolboy victim has issued proceedings against the PSNI Chief Constable, claiming a collective failure in conducting thematic inquiries through the Historial Enquifries Team (HET).

Patrick Barnard (13), was one of four people who died in a bomb at the Hillcrest Bar in Dungannon, Co Tyrone in March 1976.

The murder gang - which was based at a farm in Glenanne, Co Armagh- allegedly contained members of the Royal Ulster Constabulary and Ulster Defence Regiment.

Claims of security force collusion continue to surround the series killings carried out both sides of the Border.

With the HET now effectively shut down, Patrick Barnard’s brother, Edward Barnard, wants a court order compelling police to complete an investigation and publish the findings.

In court, his London-based barrister, Danny Friedman QC revealed that lawyers for the PSNI Chief Constable were not seeking to stop the case at this stage.

"We understand the proposed respondent will not oppose leave," he told Mr Justice Treacy.

Tony McGleenan QC, for the Chief Constable, confirmed that was the case.

Mr Friedman also disclosed that investigative journalist Anne Cadwallader's book Lethal Allies: British Collusion in Ireland is to feature in the proceedings. The judge listed the case for a full, two day hearing beginning on May 7th.