CELTIC LEAGUE comments on the Louth coroner's statement regarding the garda files on the Seamus Ludlow killing

CELTIC LEAGUE PRESS INFORMATION

LUDLOW KILLING - ANOTHER STEP ON THE ROAD TO JUSTICE?

The long campaign by the family of Co. Louth forestry worker, Seamus
Ludlow, to seek justice and truth about his murder has taken a positive
turn with the news that Garda files about the killing and subsequent
investigation are to be released.

Seamus Ludlow is believed to have been murdered by Loyalist paramilitaries
working with the knowledge and encouragement of the British Security
Forces in Northern Ireland.

Mr. Ludlow was shot and killed in a lane close to his Mountpleasant,
Co. Louth home on May 2nd 1976 in what seems to have been either a
random killing or a case of mistaken identity.

The Celtic League have supported the campaign for an enquiry into
the death of Mr. Ludlow for sometime and we have repeatedly pressed
the Irish government to be more open and urged the British authorities
in the north of Ireland to also adopt a more positive stance.

The Ludlow family are reported as having greeted the news that the
files will be released with "caution". Indeed they should be cautious
because it has become quite clear from the machinations down through
the years to obstruct explanation and the bringing to justice the
killers of Seamus Ludlow that a cover-up at the highest level has
been undertaken.

Quite clearly their caution is warranted because in the present climate
of peace and reconciliation there are vested interests within both
the Irish and British administrations which do not wish to have too
much scrutiny focused on the activities of the loyalist 'commandos',
armed and supported by British Intelligence, which waged a dirty war
of killings and bombings in the south of Ireland in the 1970s.

Bernard Moffatt

Secretary General

Celtic League

08/03/03

The Celtic League has branches in the six Celtic Countries. It works
to promote cooperation between these countries and campaigns on a
broad range of political, cultural and environmental matters. It focuses
on human rights abuse and civil liberty issues and also monitors the
impact of military activity.

TEL + (0)1624 877918 MOBILE + (0)7624 491609

Internet site at

http://www.manxman.co.im/cleague/

http://groups.yahoo.com/group/celtic_league/

b.moffatt@advsys.co.im

Please visit our Justice for Seamus Ludlow Websites:
http://www.seamusludlow.com/index.html
http://www.adon89.care4free.net/index.htm
http://freespace.virgin.net/m.donegan/index.htm