The family of a man who was murdered in County Louth in 1976 is calling for a fresh investigation into his death.

47-year-old Seamus Ludlow was shot dead by loyalist paramilitaries while on his way home from a local pub.

The 2006 Barron Report found that Gardaí failed to pursue four suspects after they were given their names by the RUC.

Mr Ludlow’s family will today meet with the Garda Commissioner Drew Harris to discuss the case.

Speaking ahead of the meeting, the family’s solicitor said they have a lot of unanswered questions.

“Not only do they want a conviction but they want the full facts and circumstances relating to the murder of Seamus Ludlow as well as the Garda response at the time and to the present date,” he said.

“Three years after the murder, the RUC supplied the names of the suspects to the Gardaí who took no action.”

The former Sinn Féin leader Gerry Adams said it is time for the Gardaí to establish a fresh inquiry, under a new investigative team to “finally provide the family with the truth about Mr Ludlow’s murder.

“In 2006, the Barron Commission recognised the serious failure by this State to investigate the killing appropriately and it recommended that the government establish two commissions of investigation,” he said.

“Barron also noted the shameful way in which the family had been treated by An Garda Síochána.

“Successive governments have failed to establish these investigations and have blocked the Ludlow family at every instance.”

He said Commissioner Harris today has the opportunity to outline why Gardaí have not questioned the four me identified as suspects in 1979.