Publication of report on 1976 murder cancelled

The long wait for the family of 1976 murder victim Seamus Ludlow was extended again today after a scheduled publication of a Government report was abruptly cancelled.

The Justice Henry Barron probe, received by the Government 14 months ago, was due to be published in Leinster House this afternoon by the Oireachtas Justice & Equality Committee.

But the Public Relations Office issued a notice an hour before the press conference to say the event had been cancelled.

A spokesman said: “We were asked directly by the Oireachtas Committee to issue a cancellation notice.

“We are unaware of the reason or if and when the event will be re-scheduled.”

Minister for Justice Micheal McDowell told the Dáil this morning that he regretted that the Ludlow family were informed of today’s planned publication by a journalist last night.

Mr Ludlow’s family have persistently alleged a police cover-up since the body of the 47-year-old sawmills operator was discovered on May 2 1976 with three shot wounds to the chest, dumped over a ditch near his home.

The family is due to hold a news conference in a hotel near the Dáil this afternoon.