A Co Armagh man whose three brothers were shot dead by the notorious Glenanne Gang almost 50 years ago has said he does not expect anyone to face court action over the murders.
Whitecross native Eugene Reavey was speaking on the 48th anniversary of the gun attack that resulted in the deaths of his siblings.
John Martin (24) and Brian Reavey (22) were shot dead on January 4 1976.
A third brother, Anthony (17), died several weeks later from his injuries.
The loyalist gang, which is believed to have killed around 120 people, included members of the RUC, UDR and UVF.
The attack on the Reavey brothers took place during one of the bloodiest weeks in the Troubles.
Within minutes of the shooting three members of the O’Dowd family were also gunned down by the same gang at Ballydougan, near Gilford, in Co Down.
The next day 10 Protestant men were shot dead near Kingsmill, south Armagh, as they travelled home from work.
The attack was later claimed by a group calling itself the South Armagh Republican Action Force, which it claimed was in reprisal for the Reavey and O’Dowd murders.
The activities of the Glenanne Gang are currently being reviewed by Operation Kenova.
Relatives of the Reavey brothers remembered their loved ones on Thursday, while an anniversary Mass will also take place in St Malachy’s Church, Whitecross on Saturday at 7pm.
Eugene, who has campaigned on behalf of his siblings, revealed how the murders impacted his family.
“Throughout our childhood and early adult life, the Christmas season was always a special time of celebration and joy for our entire family,” he said.
“On Christmas mornings all of us attended Mass in our local Catholic church, St. Brigid’s in Carrickananney, and then spent the day together, everyone united in our home at Whitecross in Co Armagh.
“That was the case on Christmas Day, 1975, but it was the last year our Christmas happiness would not be marred by sadness and grief.”
Mr Reavey spoke of his brothers being attacked as they watched television.
“A gang of masked gunmen entered our home and shot all three of them, killing John Martin and Brian and severely wounding the youngest, Anthony, who was just 17,” he said.
“After so many years of inaction by the authorities, our family does not expect to see anyone brought before a court to answer for these crimes, but we strongly believe truth and transparency are the only way towards real reconciliation.”
In September 2021 the Police Ombudsman sent a file on a former RUC officer to the Public Prosecution Service (PPS) for potential offences including the murders of the three Catholic brothers.
The PPS was contacted.
