Dublin reaction:The inquiry into RUC collusion with loyalist paramilitaries is "deeply disturbing" and "paints a picture of despicable past behaviour", Taoiseach Bertie Ahern said yesterday.
Making clear his belief that prosecutions must now follow on foot of ombudsman Nuala O'Loan's investigation, Mr Ahern said: "Justice must be done, and be seen to be done. While much has changed for the better in recent years, today's ombudsman's report is deeply disturbing." Mr Ahern had advance sight of her conclusions.
"[They] are of the utmost gravity. It paints a picture of despicable past behaviour," he said, adding that the Government had "over many years" raised "serious concerns" about collusion with the British government.
"This demonstrates that these concerns were well-founded. It presents clear evidence that the RUC colluded with loyalist murderers and failed in their duty to prevent many horrific crimes.
"Behind this report lie many personal stories of lives lost and lives shattered. I wish to express my sympathy to the families of the victims at this distressing time," he said.
He applauded "the single-minded determination and courage" of Raymond McCord snr, whose son was murdered by the Ulster Volunteer Force, saying that he had helped to ensure that the truth was told.
"It is essential that justice be done, and be seen to be done, in these cases.
"In the face of such a damning report follow-up action and reassurance is essential."
However, Mr Ahern stressed that "most fair-minded people will acknowledge the reforms that have taken place in recent years which have made a real and visible difference to policing in Northern Ireland.
"I commend the Police Ombudsman for her tenacity and determination. Her report shows that the Patten accountability and oversight mechanisms are robust and do work.
"This has to remain a vital part of the reformed policing arrangements in Northern Ireland," he said, repeating his call on Sinn Féin to support policing at its ardfheis this weekend.
Fine Gael leader Enda Kenny said the report "uncovers a shocking and appalling culture of collusion and illegality within the RUC in the very recent past.
"Given its findings of RUC complicity in at least 10 murders by just one UVF gang alone, one can wonder what other unacceptable practices remain hidden from the public."
The ombudsman's report also underlined the "absolute necessity" of the Patten Commission policing reforms, though they could not be completed until Sinn Féin finally decided to back policing, Mr Kenny added.
Labour leader Pat Rabbitte, who was the first publicly to name the killer of Mr McCord jnr, said it was "one of the worst cases of collusion involving RUC special branch" in over 30 years.
"It appears that a particularly vicious gang of loyalist killers was effectively 'run' by special branch officers and facilitated in their murderous activities for the best part of 20 years.
"As a result, members of both communities were murdered while the perpetrators enjoyed virtual immunity from prosecution.
"It would be both shocking and disappointing if those who facilitated this gang in their murderous activities were not now to face prosecution," he said.
The O'Loan inquiry should now "serve as a wake-up call for those parties in the South who ignored the issue of collusion for decades," Sinn Féin TD Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin said.