The family of the late Eddie Fullerton snubbed by Tanaiste
SINN Féin’s 26 county spokesperson on Justice and Equality, Deputy Pádraig Mac Lochlainn has branded the Tánaiste Joan Burton’s refusal to meet with the family of Cllr Eddie Fullerton is a “disgrace”.
Mr Fullerton, 56, was shot dead by the a unit of the Derry-based Ulster Freedom Fighters (UFF) at his home in Donegal in May 1991.
As he went to investigate his front door being sledge-hammered in, he was shot six times on the stairs and died.
A month after the murder, a documentary revealed that an RUC intelligence file on Mr Fullerton, including his photograph, was found in the hands of the UDA in Derry, pointing to clear evidence of collusion between security force members and loyalist death squads.
Today, Deputy Padraig Mac Lochlainn a broadside against Joan Bruton for snubbing the Fullerton family saying she was “too busy” to meet them.
He said: “Following new revelations on collusion, I had asked the Tánaiste during Leaders Questions to meet to listen to the Fullerton family’s concerns regarding the circumstances leading to his murder and the subsequent investigation by Gardaí.
“I have since written to the Tánaiste to seek to arrange a convenient time.
“I have now received a reply from the Tánaiste’s office to inform me that the Tánaiste is too busy to meet with the family.
“I think her excuse is a disgrace.
“In 1984, it was a Labour Minister, Liam Kavanagh, who refused to meet Cllr Eddie Fullerton in Leinster House. It appears that history is now repeating itself with the Labour Tánaiste not having the decency to afford the Fullerton family the time that they deserve.
“Despite the deep hurt caused to the family and the dismissive attitudes of state authorities, they have been relentless in their campaign for the truth.
“They deserve truth and respect, not further provocation and dismissal. I don’t believe that Tánaiste Burton can’t find the time to help the family get to this truth.”
