Brother of man murdered by UVF paramilitaries to sue police and the Ministry of Defence

The brother of a man killed in a no-warning loyalist bomb attack 50 years ago is suing police and the Ministry of Defence for allegedly shielding the paramilitaries from prosecution.

      The case focuses on Patrick 'Packy'           McKee, 25 who had been on a night           out when a UVF car bomb exploded                       in Belfast in 1972. 

        Thursday 29th September, 2022.

The brother of a man killed in a no-warning loyalist bomb attack 50 years ago is suing police and the Ministry of Defence for allegedly shielding the paramilitaries from prosecution.

      THE TROUBLES: Holds records of                everyone murdered during the                   Troubles including paramilitaries                  and civilians. Credit: issuu.com 

Details of the legal action emerged ahead of the anniversary of the fatal attack at Conlon’s Bar in Belfast.Patrick ‘Packy’ McKee, 25, had been on a night out when a car bomb exploded outside the pub on Francis Street in the Smithfield area on September 30, 1972.

Extract from the Troubles explaining the murder of Patrick McKee and his friend James Gillen who initially survived the bombing only to later die of his injuries on 18th October 1972. Credit: issuu.com 

He was taken to the Royal Victoria Hospital but died from his injuries on the way.The blast was claimed by the Orange Loyalist Association, a cover name for the Ulster Volunteer Force (UVF). The UVF used many cover names during the Troubles, Orange Volunteers (OV), Orange Loyalist Association (OLA). No-one has ever been charged in connection with the bombing.

      COLLUSION IS NOT AN ILLUSION           Ulster Volunteer Force (UVF) - Orange          Volunteers (OV) - Orange Loyalist                  Association (OLA) - Orange                            Volunteer Force (OVF) 

Mr McKee’s brother, Anthony, has initiated proceedings against the Ministry of Defence and Chief Constable of the PSNI amid claims that the paramilitaries responsible were protected from prosecution because they were State agents within the UVF.

     James Gillen (21), a close friend of            Patrick's was also seriously injured in           the bombing and died of his injuries             18-days later. Credit: issuu.com 

Papers lodged at the High Court in Belfast seek damages for misfeasance in public office and negligence in connection with the killing.Anthony McKee's solicitor, Gary Duffy of KRW Law, said: “The explosion has the typical features of a cover up by the State to protect intelligence sources.

       A granite stone in memory of the              innocent civilian victims of the the              Troubles including Patrick McKee                  and James Gillen two lifelong                    friends. Credit: Copyright © 2022                            Extramural Activity

“The attack is remarkably similar to other such pub bombings carried out in the 1970s in inner Belfast, with a similar outcome that little to no-one faced questioning or prosecution.”Mr Duffy added: “The failures of the investigation only compounds the suspicion that there was tacit approval from the State for this bombing campaign and that this was, in effect, State-sanctioned murder.”

With many thanks to: UTV News for the original story. 

Follow this link to find out more on this story: BBC giving air-time to the so-called UVF Regimental Band is a international disgrace the band honours members of the modern day UVF and glorifies loyalist terrorism.

SDGTs designated as FTO's

Orange Volunteers (OV)

Brother of man killed by loyalist paramilitaries takes legal action against Ministry of Defence