A multi-million pound settlement has been awarded to eight survivors of a UVF gun attack at a County Down pub in 1992. The payouts, from the Police Service of Northern Ireland and the Ministry of Defence, were confirmed at Belfast High Court. The exact total was not disclosed but is understood to be one of the largest in a Troubles-related case.

The attack happened at the Thierafurth Inn in Kilcoo on the evening of a charity darts match. Two gunmen opened fire, killing 42-year-old Peter McCormack and seriously injuring three other people. The bar was filled with patrons at the time.

The survivors sued, alleging state collusion. Four years ago, the High Court ruled that the PSNI had failed to conduct an effective investigation. One suspect was a serving member of the British Army’s Ulster Defence Regiment. The UVF later said they had used photo montages taken from a UDR base to target a named republican who was not present.

A 2016 Police Ombudsman report found that at least three individuals and their families linked to the UVF in south Down were also members of the UDR. It concluded there had been no sustained police effort to disrupt their activities.

Patrick Gribben, who was wounded in the shooting, said the incident still caused him nightmares. He stated after the hearing that it is something he does not get over. Another survivor, John McAvoy, described the settlement as a victory for them but added that compensation does not alter what happened or the fact that those responsible remain free.

Solicitor Gavin Booth said the payout was a proper acknowledgment of the pain and trauma inflicted. He added that instead of facing prosecution, the killers were protected by the state and never brought to justice.

Sinn Féin MP Chris Hazzard welcomed the outcome but said he would have preferred to see perpetrators convicted. The civil litigation took 11 years to conclude.