Mr. Dallat told the 'Journal' he was "very disappointed" that Nuala O'Loan had found the police had taken "appropriate action" with information provided by him ahead of the killings in the Rising Sun Bar on Hallowe'en night 1993.

The SDLP assemblyman had complained that he had given the RUC information that could have prevented the UDA's 'trick or treat' attack which left eight people dead.

But Ms O'Loan said she could find no evidence that the RUC had information that could have prevented the attacks. She also rejected suggestions that UDA killer Torrens Knight was protected by RUC officers.

However, Mr Dallat said he believed the information he passed on was crucial to preventing an attack.

"I don't regret bringing the complaint to the Ombudsman. It was based on what I believe was important, useful information. I still believe a lot greater effort should have been put into dealing with that gang.

"I was playing the role of a public representative who had people coming to me with information which was valuable."

He added: "I believe Nuala O'Loan was severely hampered by the lack of a paper trail. As a civilian looking in on it, I have no doubt that a lot more could have been done and, if it was today, it would have been done."

UFF members Torrens Knight, Stephen Irwin, Jeffrey Deeney and Brian McNeill were convicted for the killings and subsequently released under the terms of the Good Friday Agreement. One of the killers yelled 'trick or treat' before he opened fire on the bar's patrons.