Family hopes of ‘seeking closure to this tragic affair’

THE family of the late Superintendent Robert Buchanan yesterday welcomed the establishment of the Smithwick Tribunal.

In a statement read out on their behalf, solicitor Ernie Telford, of the McCartan, Turkington, Breen law firm in Belfast said: “The intervening years since the deaths of Supt Buchanan and his colleague, Chief Supt Breen, have been extremely difficult for their families and friends, and they are seeking closure to this tragic affair.

“My clients welcome the decision by the Irish Government to establish the tribunal on the recommendations of Judge Cory. They have total and complete confidence it will be a full and thorough investigation carried out expeditiously.

“So many questions about this tragedy remain unanswered. There are so many lingering suspicions. The family have met Judge Smithwick and they know everything possible will be done by him to establish the full circumstances surrounding that fatal day in the backwoods of South Armagh 17 years ago.

“The family hope that the inquiry will receive the full cooperation of everyone so that the truth can be established and they can then get on with their lives.”