Compensation Awarded to Survivors of 1992 UVF Attack
John McEvoy (centre), who survived a UVF gun attack at the Thierafurth Inn in Kilcoo, arrived at court.
Eight survivors of a UVF gun attack at a County Down pub have been awarded compensation totalling millions of pounds from the Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) and the Ministry of Defence (MoD).
The exact amount was not disclosed during a High Court hearing in Belfast, but it is understood to be one of the largest payouts related to a Troubles case.
Details of the 1992 Attack
Peter McCormack, aged 42, died when two gunmen opened fire inside the Thierafurth Inn in Kilcoo in 1992.
The pub was crowded with customers who were preparing to participate in a charity darts match at the time of the attack.
Peter McCormack was shot dead by loyalists during the incident, and three others sustained serious injuries.
Legal Proceedings and Allegations
Eight survivors initiated legal action over allegations of state collusion in the attack.
Four years ago, the High Court ruled that the PSNI had failed to conduct an effective investigation into the incident.
Survivors' Statements
Patrick Gribben, one of those wounded, stated that the shooting continues to cause him nightmares.
"It's something you don't get over."
Solicitor Gavin Booth described the settlement as "a proper acknowledgement of the pain and trauma caused."
He further commented that, rather than being prosecuted, the perpetrators were "protected by the state and never brought to justice."
John McEvoy, a survivor of the attack, expressed that he felt it was "a victory for us," but also noted that "compensation doesn't change what happened and doesn't change that those who did it are still out there."
Sinn Féin MP Chris Hazzard remarked that while it was a good day, he would "much rather have seen justice done and those perpetrators brought before the courts."
Case Duration and Context
The civil case has taken 11 years to reach its conclusion.
The Thierafurth Inn in Kilcoo, County Down, as it appeared in 1992 following the fatal UVF gun attack.
