Ombudsman report into loyalist murders 'deeply disturbing', says Taoiseach

Image source, Reuters

Image caption, Taoiseach M铆che谩l Martin said the report's findings were 鈥渄eeply disturbing鈥

A Police Ombudsman report into links between members of the security forces and loyalist murders in Northern Ireland is 鈥渄eeply disturbing鈥 and 鈥渟imply appalling", the taoiseach (Irish prime minister) has said.

In her report, Marie Anderson identified 鈥渃ollusive behaviour鈥 on the part of the police in her investigation into 11 murders.

M铆che谩l Martin said the report highlighted the need for a 鈥渃omprehensive framework鈥 to deal with the past.聽

He accused the British government of 鈥渢oo much foot-dragging鈥 in honouring agreements entered into.

Image source, Pacemaker

Image caption, Five people were killed and several others were injured in the 1992 gun attack on a Belfast bookmakers shop

In the D谩il (lower house of parliament) on Wednesday, Mr Martin said he did not take an amnesty as a likelihood and repeated that his government could not accept any unilateral actions on legacy.

He said any such action would be a breach of the Good Friday and subsequent agreements.

The taoiseach made his remarks in response to a question from the Aont煤 leader, Peadar Tob铆n, who used D谩il privilege to name the soldier known as Soldier F.

Soldier F was charged with the murders of William McKinney and James Wray, plus five counts of attempted murder for his actions on Bloody Sunday in 1972 when 13 people were shot dead by paratroopers.