Evidence police Belfast colluded  loyalists Troubles 

Evidence of "collusive behaviour" between police and loyalist paramilitary groups over killings during the Troubles has been uncovered by a surveillance investigation. Marie Anderson, Police Ombudsman for Northern Ireland, said she was "deeply concerned" about the "significant shortcomings" she had uncovered in her investigation into Ulster Defense Association homicides and attempted murders ( UDA) in south Belfast in the 1990s. Eight loyalist attacks attributed to the UDA or its Ulster Freedom Fighters (UFF) cover name were examined in the Ombudsman's 344-page report released on Tuesday. Eleven people were killed in the attacks, including five who lost their lives in the attack on bookmaker Sean Graham  in February 1992. 

Among his findings, Anderson said Royal Ulster Constabulary (RUC) records linked to the massacre of certain bookmakers  had been deliberately destroyed. He also said the Special RUC's use of the branch of informants who had been involved in the killings was "totally unacceptable". Although there is no evidence that the police  received information that would have enabled them to prevent the attacks, the Ombudsman wondered why  such information had not been received, given that the special branch had a network of whistleblowers within the UDA. A 2020 appeals court decision limited the scope of the Ombudsman to charge former officers with the criminal offense of colluding with paramilitaries. Acknowledging this limitation, Anderson said he had identified conduct within the RUC as "collusive behaviour".He said the long-standing concerns of bereaved families and survivors over the conduct of the RUC, including allegations of collusion with the paramilitaries, were "legitimate and justified". obtaining military-grade weapons during a 1 arms import. Failure to warn two men of threats to their lives. 

The failure to keep records and the deliberate destruction of files related to the attack on Sean Graham's bookmakers. The inability to keep records  of weapon deactivation, "indicating a desire to avoid liability for these sensitive and contentious activities." Failure of the police to exploit all probative opportunities. The inability of the special branch to provide information to homicide investigation teams. Lack of control and supervision in the recruitment and management of whistleblowers. Unwarranted and continued use by a proper branch of information ants involved in serious crimes, including murder, and "turning a blind eye" to such activities.

A senior PSNI official said the report made "difficult reading" and apologized to the families of those killed and injured. The murders and attempted murders were committed between 1990 and 1998. All the victims were Catholics. Christy Doherty, Jack Duffin, Peter Magee, Willie McManus and 15-year-old James Kennedy all died in the betting shop attack. The report also covered the murders of Harry Conlon and Aidan Wallace in 1991, Michael Gilbride in 1992, Martin Moran in 1993, Theresa Clinton in 1994 and Larry Brennan in 1998. It also looked at the attempted murder of Samuel Caskey in 1990.