Informers 'evaded murder charges'

Irish Labour leader quoted former police officer Johnston Brown

There are suspicions that RUC informers were not charged with murders because they were informants, the leader of the Irish Labour Party has said.

Using parliamentary privilege, Pat Rabbitte referred to the 1997 murder of Raymond McCord Junior.

The case is being investigated by NI Police Ombudsman Nuala O'Loan.

Mr Rabbitte quoted Raymond McCord's father as saying that at least two of the people who murdered his 22-year-old son were RUC informers.

In his speech in the Dail on Thursday, the Irish Labour leader quoted former police officer Johnston Brown as saying some people got away with murder because they were informants.

Mr Rabbitte said that once the ombudsman investigation into the case was concluded, there must be an international inquiry with guaranteed independence and impartiality.

Mr Rabbitte said: "Mr McCord has lost a 22-year-old son to a violent and ruthless organisation that seems to have operated with the surreptitious sanction of the police.

"We owe it to him and to all others who have lost family, friends and neighbours, to ensure that they receive justice."

However, Minister of State Noel Treacy said the Irish government had complete confidence in the independence and competence of the ombudsman's investigation.

"In the context of the sensitive stage that the investigation has reached, any comment on the possible establishment of an independent inquiry into this issue would be premature.

"The government will continue to monitor developments in this case very closely and will give its immediate and careful consideration to the ombudsman's report and any recommendations it makes."