by Ronan McSherry

Almost 11 years after the murder of her husband by the LVF, Martina Dillon is still waiting to hear the full facts surrounding his death after the latest adjournment of his inquest.

Seamus Dillon (46), a father-of-three from Stewartstown was gunned down while performing his duties as a doorman outside the Glengannon Hotel in Dungannon on December 28, 1997. He died of a bullet wound to the head. Two other doormen and a 14-year-old waiter were also injured in the attack.

His murder was carried out around 12 hours after LVF leader Billy Wright had been shot dead by the INLA in the Maze prison. Mr Dillon had served a term of imprisonment as a Republican prisoner but the attack was a random one at a place frequented by Catholics. In the next two weeks 10 Catholics were shot dead by the LVF and the UFF.

At Dungannon Courthouse on Monday, coroner John Leckey said witnesses who had been summonsed to appear had not done so for unknown reasons. He also said he hoped the Historic Enquiries Team review of the murder would have been read by the family before a rescheduled inquest in December.

Mr Leckey said he sympathised with the predicament of Mr Dillon's family. "No-one has been made amenable for the murder of Seamus Dillon. An inquest should be held as soon as possible but I accept the views expressed by the family as to why they want it adjourned."

Speaking to the UH outside the courthouse, solicitor Paddy Murray acting on behalf of the Dillon family said, "'We sought an adjournment because we felt we felt we wouldn't have a proper inquest before all the relevant facts are fully investigated.

"The inquest has been adjourned on several occasions basically for the same sort of reasons.

"It is very frustrating this is going on so long. Seamus Dillon's wife Martina has been waiting 11 years for this inquest to take place.

"We hope to meet with the Historic Enquiries Team and study their report over the next few months and be back here in December hopefully with all witnesses present."