The family of murdered Louth man Seamus Ludlow are to take legal action against the PSNI and the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland.

The civil proceedings will also include the British Ministry of Defence in an action for damages including collusion and negligence in relation to his death.

Mr Ludlow was shot dead by unionist paramilitaries near his home at Thistle Cross in Louth in May 1976 but to date no one has ever been charged in connection with his killing.

His case was one of those investigated by the Barron Commission which recommended that a commission of investigation be established to examine certain aspects of the case.

The Minister for Justice has ruled out such an inquiry.