SDLP Mid Ulster MLA Patsy McGlone has said that a public inquiry must be held into the murder of Sean Brown.

Mr McGlone was speaking after a coroner said the inquest into his death could not continue due to material being withheld.

He attended court with Mr Brown's family on Monday morning.

The coroner is writing to the Northern Ireland Secretary to request a public inquiry.

Mid Ulster MLA Mr McGlone said:

“It’s absolutely disgraceful what the family of Sean Brown have been put through with the long-awaited inquest into his death falling apart due to material being withheld. They have been fighting for nearly three decades for truth and justice for their husband and father and this will further compound the grief they have been living with for so long.

“It is now clear that the only way the family will find out exactly what happened and why is through a public inquiry and the SDLP has long supported them in that campaign. I welcome the coroner’s decision to write to the Secretary of State urging him to call a public inquiry within a month and he must do so at the first opportunity.

“Sean Brown was held in the highest regard by his family, friends and the local community. He was a pillar of the GAA in this area and his death has cast a long shadow. It’s time that his family were given the answers they have been seeking since his murder and there can be no justification for anyone standing in the way of that."