Families to sue over funeral shootings

The families of three men shot dead by a loyalist murderer at the an IRA Belfast funeral are planning legal action against the Ministry of Defence and police in Northern Ireland, they announced tonight.

They claim agencies of the state colluded with killer Michael Stone in the killings in 1988.

The action is being taken following serialisation of a new book by Stone about the killings.

The families say the are also seeking to stop Stone profiting from the book of his exploits, something they said was “morally reprehensible and repugnant”.

IRA man Caoimhghin MacBradiagh and two other mourners at the funeral of three IRA members killed by the SAS in Gibraltar were shot dead when Stone launched an audacious one man attack on the funeral in Milltown Cemetery in west Belfast’s Falls Road.

Another 60 people were injured when Stone stormed through the cemetery firing from guns and hurling hand grenades.

He was seized by the security forces on the edge of the cemetery before mourners caught up with him and was later sentenced to several life terms.

Stone was released early under the terms of the Good Friday Agreement.

The families of John Murray, Thomas McErlean and MacBradiagh said Stone clearly admitted there had been collusion by the security forces in the killings.

They alleged Stone admitted in the book:

:: Using weapons taken from a South African shipment imported by British Military Intelligence and their UDA/UFF agent Brian Nelson.

:: That a Royal Ulster Constabulary Ruger pistol and ammunition were also used.

:: That a member of the RUC drove him to collect the illegal weapons, safely returning Stone to Belfast with the weapons in their possession.

The families of those killed and injured in Stone’s rampage said they had instructed lawyers to “issue proceedings against the Chief Constable of the Police Service of Northern Ireland and the British Ministry of Defence for damages”.

A statement issued through the Families for Justice group added: “They will claim that various agencies of the State colluded with Michael Stone in the killings and attempted murders of those persons present at Milltown Cemetery.”

Additionally they would be seeking access to the profit and loss accounts of the proceeds of the sale of Stone’s recent book.

The families were also considering other possible legal proceedings arising out of the sale and distribution of Stone’s book.

The Police Service refused tonight to comment on the collusion allegations.

A spokesman said: “We are unable to comment on intended legal proceedings”.