The family of three brothers murdered 31 years ago have received an apology for their treatment at the hands of members of the security forces.

Catholic brothers John Martin, Brian and Anthony Reavey were shot dead in 1976.

Their brother, Eugene, said the Historical Enquiries Team Director, David Cox, had accepted that none of his brothers were in the IRA.

He said he had shown regret for the harassment his family later endured from the RUC and British army.

The brothers, aged 24, 22 and 17, were shot dead in their home at Whitecross in south Armagh by the loyalist paramilitary Ulster Volunteer Force in January of 1976.

Mr Reavey said that after the murders there had been a "whispering campaign" that his brothers were in the IRA and that no-one from the authorities had ever talked to his mother about the killings.

"They apologised for no-one from the government or the police ever going to see her (his mother).

"Secondly he apologised to her for harassment by the Army, and thirdly he said to her that there was no credible evidence anywhere to suggest that her sons were members of the IRA or any other illegal activity.

"They were completely innocent victims."