The local DUP MP said,
“The IRA mounted a killing operation in Loughgall. They sought to obliterate any RUC officer in the station. The IRA terrorists never stopped for a second in their murder bid. They didn’t stop to give any RUC officer an opportunity to walk away.
The IRA met real soldiers in Loughgall. Just like Clonoe, the IRA were armed to the teeth. They set out to kill and they were killed.
There are some who want to use the courts to rewrite the history of the Troubles. 90% of deaths in the Troubles were because paramilitaries set out to murder. The police and army stood in defence of democracy.
In committing to this inquest proceeding it would be useful to know if Hilary Benn shares the Veterans Minister and the MOD’s determination to challenge the Clonoe verdict which highlighted so starkly the problems with this process.
The Clonoe verdict alienated innocent victims and the wider community. In reaching that verdict the murderous intent of the Provisional IRA took a backseat. The inconsistencies in these inquests are deeply concerning where some consider the wider context of the time and the threat posed by heavily armed terrorists, whilst other verdicts include no such consideration.”