PSNI to pay damages to family of murdered GAA fan

Summarised from 2 outlets · Updated 16 Oct, 15:38 · Archive

The Police Service of Northern Ireland will pay undisclosed damages and issue an apology to the family of Sean Farmer, shot dead in 1975.

The family of Sean Farmer, a 32-year-old Gaelic football fan, will receive undisclosed damages and an apology from the Police Service of Northern Ireland following a High Court settlement announced on Friday. Farmer and his friend Colm McCartney, 22, both Catholic, were shot dead by members of the Ulster Volunteer Force at a dummy roadblock in Altnamackin, County Armagh in August 1975. They had been returning from an All-Ireland football semi-final between Derry and Dublin at Croke Park.

One of Farmer's sons sued both the PSNI and the Ministry of Defence in a case involving claims of malfeasance in public office. It was alleged that rogue soldiers and police officers were either involved in the sectarian murder plot or failed to properly investigate the killings. Legal action was pursued after a Historical Enquiries Team report identified 'disturbing omissions and the lack of any structured investigative strategy' in the initial investigation.

The settlement covers the action against the chief constable, with the PSNI providing both damages and an apology. A separate claim against the Ministry of Defence is expected to go to trial next week.

How it is being reported

• Family of murdered GAA fan to receive damages from PSNI, court hearsThe relatives of Sean Farmer will also receive an apology as part of a settlement reached in their action against the chief constable.BBC Northern Ireland · 16 Oct, 15:19
• PSNI to pay out undisclosed sum in damages to family of murdered GAA fan amid 'collusion' claim/News Letter · 16 Oct, 13:58

In this story: Sean Farmer · Colm McCartney · Police Service of Northern Ireland · Ulster Volunteer Force · County Armagh · Croke Park

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