The families of three people killed in a loyalist gun and bomb attack on a bar in Silverbridge, Co Armagh, in December 1975 have demanded access to RUC files on the incident in response to new allegations of police collusion in the killings.
In a joint statement last night the families of those killed, two customers and the son of the barowner, said they intended to seek legal advice and would be calling for meetings with the North's Minister for Victims, Mr Adam Ingram, and the Government in Dublin.
The RTE Prime Time programme last night detailed allegations of RUC collusion, including claims made three months ago by a former RUC officer that the group of attackers included members of the RUC and UDR.
"In light of the startling revelations detailed in the Prime Time programme, we, as relatives of those murdered at Donnelly's Bar, Silverbridge, are appalled at allegations that those entrusted with upholding the law were responsible for the deaths of our loved ones," added the statement.
The loyalist paramilitary group, the Red Hand Commandos, claimed responsibility for the attack at the time. Trevor Brecknell (32), Patrick Donnelly (24) and Michael Donnelly (14) died, and six people were seriously injured, when a nu m ber of men entered the bar and fired randomly at customers before detonating a bomb. No one was convicted in connection with the attack. The recent allegations suggest the same group was responsible for further attacks in the south Armagh area in the 1970s.