Relatives of people killed by the Glenanne Gang say they are “heartened” after judge listed a series of civil cases linked to the Glenanne Gang for review.
The Irish News revealed last week that Mr Justice Rooney had taken a decision to oversee a series of 13 civil cases linked to the notorious gang.
It included members of the RUC, UDR and UVF and is believed to have carried out around 125 murders, the majority of which were innocent Catholics.
Relatives of several people killed during the Troubles attended the latest High Court hearing in Belfast on Thursday during which Mr Justice Rooney listed several of their cases for review next month.
Alan Brecknell’s father Trevor was killed along with two other men in an attack at Donnelly’s Bar in Silverbridge, south Armagh, in 1975.
Speaking outside court he said his elderly mother cannot afford any more delays.
“Unfortunately, my mother went into hospital last week,” he said.
“She’s 92 years of age; she doesn’t have time for another delay in this process.
“I was heartened to hear the judge today say that he wants to get these cases listed.
“We all know that courts take time, but he’s listed it for June, so I think that’s really important that it sends a signal, not just to the families that someone wants to deal with this, but it sends a signal to the state to say ‘you need to be dealing with this’.”
Eugene Reavey’s two brothers John Martin (24) and Brian Reavey (22) were shot dead at their Whitecross home in south Armagh in January 1976.
A third brother, Anthony (17), died several weeks later from his injuries.
Mr Reavey said he is encouraged by recent developments.
“It’s about the first time that I’ve been in court that I’ve been encouraged that there’s a judge going to take this by the scruff of the neck and drive it on,” he said.
“I’m not interested really in their money, I don’t want their money.
“I want to get myself into that box, if I’m fit to do it, and tell them what happened.”
Gavin Booth, of Phoenix Law, said the current “process does not deliver for families”.
“The judge is frustrated at having to list these cases and constantly try and get them dealt with,” he said.
“But unfortunately we’re not at a stage where these can be dealt with as quickly as they can.
“We think that something needs to be done to change this, and we think that everybody is willing to come to the table, and we should find a progressive way to deal with these cases.”
Its activities are currently being examined by the Kenova investigation team as part of Operation Denton, which is nearing completion.
The publication of a Police Ombudsman’s investigation, Operation Newham, into the gang has been delayed after a decision was taken to prosecute a former RUC officer.