Loughlin Maginn's family settle case against PSNI and MoD

The family of a man murdered by loyalists, who used security force intelligence material to target him, have settled their civil case against the PSNI and the Ministry of Defence.

Loughlin Maginn, 28, was shot dead at his home in Rathfriland, County Down, in 1989. His wife and young children were in the house at the time.

Two members of the Ulster Defence Regiment were convicted of his murder.

His family sued the PSNI and the MoD for damages connected to the shooting.

As part of the undisclosed settlement the state will have to pay the family's legal costs.

A 2012 report from Sir Desmond DeSilva found that the Ulster Defence Association (UDA), which carried out the murder, had entered an Army base in County Down in December 1988 and taken a video tape of a UDR intelligence briefing which contained references to Loughlin Maginn.

The review found that the Royal Ulster Constabulary (RUC) had advance knowledge of the plan to steal the intelligence but did not seek to prevent the UDA from obtaining it.

Loughlin Maginn was sitting in his lounge with his wife when gunmen smashed the windows and fired a number of shots shortly before 01:00 BST on a night in late August 1989.

They hit him but he managed to run upstairs. The gunmen then climbed through the window and followed him.

They shot him several times and he died a short time later.

Four children were asleep upstairs but were not injured.

A car believed to have been used in the shooting was found burnt out two miles from the scene.

A solicitor for the Maginn family welcomed the conclusion of the civil case on Friday.

Speaking outside the court, Gavin Booth said: "The family are today happy with the settlement. It's step one in a long journey for truth and justice for the Maginn family.

"The family have suffered 30 years of trauma. At no stage did any police officer ever call to their home to give them any update in relation to the murder."

When asked about the size of the undisclosed settlement, Mr Booth said: "The family would never have settled had they thought it was not significant. The family came to court and were prepared to go to court to have this matter put before a judge and to have all the facts and circumstances known."

Loughlin Maginn's daughter Grace Maginn called for an inquest to be held into the killing.

"That this case has outlived our brother Loughy and surpassed the age that our daddy was at the time of his murder is tragic. No family should ever have to suffer this long for truth," she said.

Mr Booth said an application has been lodged to hold an inquest into the murder and he expressed hope it will take place before the UK governent's legacy bill comes into force.

Ms Maginn added: "Whilst this settlement by the police and the Ministry of Defence offers some comfort it will never forgive the actions of those who entered our home that night nor the agents of the state who sent them to kill our daddy."