An inquest into the murders of two prominent loyalists collapsed today after the families of both men withdrew from proceedings.
Belfast Coroner Mr John Leckey agreed to cancel the inquest after the families of Jackie Coulter and Bobby Mahood said they had no faith in the police investigation into the double killing.
Coulter, a leading member of the Ulster Defence Association, and Mahood were shot dead outside a bookmaker's shop in north Belfast in August 2000.
The killings, carried out at the time of rising tensions between the UDA and the UVF in the area, sparked a series of tit-for-tat attacks. No one has been charged in connection with the murders.
The families had asked the Police Ombudsman's Office to investigate their claims that a loyalist paramilitary working as a security force agent was involved. They have accused the Ombudsman's Office of fudging the issue in concluding there was no police misconduct in the case.
In a joint statement released today, they said: "We therefore withdraw from this inquest rather than allow ourselves to be guided through a process that has not as yet provided us with justice.
"With so many questions unanswered and none likely through this procedure, we refuse to become a party to this failed process and will pursue our campaign for justice through other avenues."
Mr Leckey said he had no alternative but to cancel the hearing and have the two deaths registered. But he left it open that an inquest could be held in the future if fresh evidence emerged.