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Members of the RUC and UDR colluded with loyalist paramilitaries in 74 murders in the 1970s, according to an international panel of legal experts.Members of the RUC and UDR colluded with loyalist paramilitaries in 74 murders in the 1970s, according to an international panel of legal experts.
The four-strong team examined 76 killings between 1972 and 1977 and said there was evidence of collusion in all but two of the cases.The four-strong team examined 76 killings between 1972 and 1977 and said there was evidence of collusion in all but two of the cases.
It said some senior officers knew of the crimes but "failed to act to prevent or punish" those responsible.It said some senior officers knew of the crimes but "failed to act to prevent or punish" those responsible.
The panel urged the government to set up an independent investigation. The panel urged the British government to set up an independent investigation.
The report claimed that "credible evidence indicates that superiors of violent, extremist officers and agents, at least within the RUC, were aware of their sectarian crimes, yet failed to act to prevent, investigate or punish them". They also urged the authorities in the Irish Republic to investigate theclaims made about their police.
The government told the panel it would be inappropriate to comment as the murders were already the subject of inquiries by a number of agencies. The report said: "Credible evidence indicates that superiors of violent, extremist officers and agents, at least within the RUC, were aware of their sectarian crimes, yet failed to act to prevent, investigate or punish them.
These included the European Court of Human Rights, the Historical Enquiries Team, and the Police Ombudsman. By 1975, senior officials were also informed that some RUC policeofficers were 'very close' to extremist paramilitaries Law experts' report
The panel was convened two years ago at the request of the Pat Finucane Centre. "On the contrary, they allegedly made statements that appeared to condone participation in these crimes."
Bombings The panel was convened two years ago at the request of the Londonderry-based Pat Finucane Centre.
Copies of the report have been given to the British government and the Police Ombudsman's Office. It examined 25 incidents on both sides of the Irish border, including:
The 108-page report examined 25 cases on both sides of the Irish border.
  • The     murder of 33 people in UVF bomb attacks in Dublin and Monaghan on 17 May 1974
    The cases examined in the Republic of Ireland include the Dublin and Monaghan bombings, explosions in Dundalk and Castleblayney and the murder of John Francis Green.
  • The     shooting of three members of the Miami Showband - Fran O'Toole, 29, Anthony Geraghty, 23, and Brian McCoy, 33, after a UVF gang posing as an Ulster Defence Regiment patrolflagged their bus down on 31 July 1975.
    The independent panel who produced the report were Professor Douglass Cassel of Notre Dame Law School in the US, Susie Kemp, an international lawyer based in The Hague, Piers Pigou - an investigator for the South African Truth and Reconciliation Commission and Stephen Sawyer of Northwestern University School of Law.
  • The killing of Patrick Connolly, 23, on 4 October 1972 in a grenade attack on his Portadown home by the Ulster Volunteer Force
    Last year, the Irish government said it was to give Tony Blair a final chance to aid an inquiry into the Dublin and Monaghan bombings.
  • The     double murder by the UVF of Catholic Patrick Molloy, 46, and Protestant Jack Wylie, 49, in a bomb attack at Augenlig inCounty Armagh
    Irish premier Bertie Ahern said he may take a case to the European Court of Human Rights if Mr Blair did not hand over British government files on the 1974 bombings.
  • The     shooting dead of six men inseparate UVF gun attacks on two families in County Armagh on 4 January 1976
    The UVF was suspected of carrying out the attacks which killed 33 people. No-one was convicted of the bombings. The panel added: "As early as 1973, senior officials of the United Kingdom were put on noticeof the danger - and indeed some of the facts - of sectarian violence by UDRsoldiers using stolen UDR weapons and ammunition, and supported by UDR trainingand information.
    "At least by 1975, senior officials were also informed that some RUC policeofficers were 'very close' to extremist paramilitaries."
    The report also said there had been "allegations by at least one former RUC man that the Gardai,the police force of the Republic of Ireland, was not co-operative in bringingfugitives who fled across the border to justice".
    The British government told the panel it would be inappropriate to comment as the murders are the subject of inquiries by a number of agencies.
    These included the European Court of Human Rights, the PSNI Historical Enquiries Team, and the Police Ombudsman.
    'Final chance'
    Copies of the 108-page report have been given to the British government and the Police Ombudsman's Office.
    The independent panel who produced the report were: Professor Douglass Cassel of Notre Dame Law School in the US; Susie Kemp, an international lawyer based in The Hague; Piers Pigou - an investigator for the South African Truth and Reconciliation Commission and Stephen Sawyer of Northwestern University School of Law.
    Last year, the Irish government said it was giving Tony Blair a final chance to aid an inquiry into the Dublin and Monaghan bombings.
    Irish premier Bertie Ahern said he may take a case to the European Court of Human Rights if Mr Blair did not hand over British government files on the bombings.
    No-one was convicted of the bombings.