Belfast firm KRW Law announced the launch of judicial review proceedings against the Police Ombudsman of Northern Ireland at an event marking 40 years since the death of Seamus Ludlow yesterday.

The firm is instructed by the family of Mr Ludlow, who was murdered in disputed circumstances near Dundalk on 2 May 1976.

In a letter presented to gardaí in Dundalk and to Ireland’s Justice Minister Frances Fitzgerald, the family call for justice in the case.

The judicial review proceedings challenge the Police Ombudsman’s alleged failure to investigate allegations that RUC Special Branch had an informer working for them in the gang that killed him.

The firm is already engaged in judicial review proceedings in Ireland over Ms Fitzgerald’s failure to set up a Commission of Investigation.

Solicitor Gavin Booth of KRW Law said: “The family of Seamus Ludlow deserve the truth. They have been failed for 40 years in both jurisdictions. Presently we are engaged in Judicial Review proceedings in Dublin against the Minister of Justice for her failure to hold a further Commission of Investigation and now we must take another Judicial Review against the Police Ombudsman in the North.

“The family of Seamus Ludlow are united and determined to get to the full truth of what happened. Both the British and Irish government must live up to their commitments for this family.”