Widow whose husband was killed by loyalist paramilitary group wins six-figure settlement – ​​Irish Times

Two widows whose husbands were murdered by a loyalist paramilitary group in 1976 have been awarded a six-figure settlement in their lawsuit against the UK Ministry of Defence (MoD) and the Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI).

The families of Jim Rowley and John Toland have filed a civil lawsuit after a Historical Investigation Team (HET) investigation found there may have been collusion with security forces in their deaths. It started.

On Monday, the MoD and PSNI settled the case without admitting liability.

Sarah Duddy, from the Pat Finucane Center, which supports both families, said the settlement was “a positive outcome for two widows and two families devastated by a murder over 40 years ago”. He said it was “some form of acknowledgment of the hurt that was caused”.

But she said: “It is unfortunate that other families will not be given the opportunity to take similar action due to the disgraceful estate law that halts civil proceedings.”

The family's lawyer, Padraig O Muiri, said the settlement was “important” for inquests and civil proceedings to proceed unhindered by controversial legacy laws that will block such proceedings from May 1. ” has been proven.

“Unfortunately, many families will be denied the opportunity to take legal action themselves due to this draconian law, which clearly violates the European Convention on Human Rights and other international human rights standards,” he said. Ta.

A judgment on a judicial review challenge to the Legacy Act is expected to be handed down at the High Court in Belfast this week.

Jim Rowley, 36, was shot by the UDA in front of his wife and eight young children at their home in Greysteel, County Derry, in November 1976, and died from his wounds 11 days later.

The following week, father-of-seven John Toland, 36, died after being shot multiple times in the back at the Happy Landings bar in Eglinton, Co Derry, where he was manager.

The Ulster Freedom Fighters (UFF), the hidden name used by the Ulster Defense Association (UDA), claimed responsibility for both murders.

In 2012, HET discovered that the UDA gang that killed both men included members of the British Army's Ulster Defense Regiment (UDR) and former members of the Royal Ulster Constabulary (RUC).

The same gang was also involved in the murders of Michael McHugh in Castlederg, County Tyrone and Kevin Mulhern in Derry, as well as the attempted murder of another person.

David Hamilton, an active member of the UDR, was sentenced to five years in prison for possessing the revolver used to kill Mr Toland.

In Mr Toland's case, the HET concluded that “there was likely collusion between individual members of the security forces and those responsible for Mr John's murder”.

Regarding Mr. Rowley, the court determined that “the possibility of collusion cannot be ruled out.''

The families of Toland and Laurie spoke of the devastation caused by their loved one's murder and the “emotional and financial impact that is being felt to this day.”

Marie Newton, Toland's widow, described how the two met when they were 17 and fell in love, “But my mother made me wait until I was 19 to be allowed to marry.'' Ta.

“John was a very happy man, the happiest man on earth, and he loved his family and home,” she said.

“We were planning our lives. We wanted a whole bunch of kids and we wanted to work as hard as we could to give them the best life. .

“It's hard to explain the devastation John's murder has had on my life and my children's lives.

“My sons, who were still young children, became the men of the house, left school and went to work. Because of what happened, they missed out on education and their future.”

Laurie's son Johnny said his father met his mother Mary as a soldier stationed in Eglinton, County Derry. He was interested in everything from reading, Gaelic football, and soccer to civil rights and world politics, and was especially fond of John F. Kennedy.

“The immediate impact of my father's murder on our family was shocking and dramatic,” he said, adding, “I was there and watched my father get shot in the kitchen of my parents' home. “The devastating effects of this.''

“Each of the children suffered severe mental and physical symptoms from the trauma.”

He explained how their education was affected. Some had to transfer schools, some missed out on college, and some lost profound experiences, such as the five sisters who did not allow their father to attend their wedding to present the bride. “Even as an adult, I continued to feel a sense of loss.” ”

“My mother struggled to raise eight children as a single parent, often with little or no money, and the struggle took a toll both physically and mentally.

“Our mother still feels the loss emotionally and says she misses him every day.”

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