Seamus Dillon was murdered by loyalist terror group the LVF in an attack on the Glengannon Hotel, Dungannon, County Tyrone in December 1997.
Mr Dillon, who was working as a security doorman at the hotel where a teenage disco was taking place, had noticed a suspicious car and movements in the car park. He alerted other door staff of his concerns and as they sought to lock the doors Mr Dillon was shot.
Mr Dillon was died in the hail of gunfire directed at the hotel entrance. Several others were injured including two other door staff, one of whom was left paralysed. Their swift actions deterred and prevented the gunmen from entering the premises and undoubtedly saved lives.
No one was ever charged in connection with the attack and murder. It was later revealed that the weapons used were connected to numerous other attacks in the Mid-Ulster area.
The Coroner, Judge Greene, oversaw this week’s review hearing of the inquest into the death of Seamus Dillon. Public Interest Immunity (PII) hearings are scheduled for the 6-7th of March. PSNI materials will be ready for the hearing without issue. The MOD, however, is not ‘confident’ that its materials will be prepared in time; and they were unable to provide their planned update for today’s hearing.
Coroner Greene noted that the work ‘which ought to have been done before now’ is still incomplete. If the MOD is unable to confirm by Friday afternoon that the issues will be resolved in time, MOD personnel must attend to give in-person evidence as to why the work is not completed. It remains to be determined if the MOD’s evidence will be given in open or closed proceedings.
