Relatives of murdered woman allege British army collusion

The family of an elderly spinster murdered by loyalists eight years ago have demanded a meeting with Northern Secretary John Reid after uncovering evidence of possible British army collusion.

76-year-old Rosemary Mallon was shot dead by the UVF while sitting in an armchair in her remote bungalow in Co Tyrone.

The gunman’s target was probably one of her nephews, who is a former republican prisoner.

Shortly after the murder, the Mallon family discovered spy cameras dug into a hill just above her home and, minutes later, British soldiers swamped the area, evidence, said the family, that the cameras were still working when they were found.

The Mallons have always suspected that British military intelligence colluded in the murder and Amnesty International has backed up their call for a public inquiry into the killing.