Mr Lawlor’s family maintain their belief that there was collusive behaviour in the police investigation which has not helped secured prosecutions.

Gerard Lawlor, a Catholic, was shot dead by loyalists shortly after midnight on July 22 2002

The Police Ombudsman will deliver a statement later about the PSNI investigation into the murder of a teenage father more than two decades ago. Gerard Lawlor, a Catholic, was shot dead by loyalists shortly after midnight on July 22 2002.

Two men have been charged with the murder of Dublin criminal Robbie Lawlor. Lawlor, 36, was shot dead outside a house in the Ardoyne area of Belfast in April.