Peter McEvoy breaks silence on police killings

A MAN cleared of the Walsh St police killings has broken a 19-year silence on the shootings that rocked Victoria.

A MAN cleared of the Walsh St police killings has broken a 19-year silence on the shootings that rocked Victoria.

Peter McEvoy said he thinks he knows who murdered constables Steven Tynan and Damian Eyre, but he is not telling.

"Would I name them? People would only accuse me of being self-serving.

"I'd be saying, 'It wasn't me, it was him and now he's dead'."

McEvoy said he could not be certain the two men were involved -- it was "more than a sixth sense".

"I think I know who was involved," he said.

McEvoy's outburst came as an inquest into the South Yarra police killings was ruled out.

The families of the dead officers and investigators had called for a coronial inquiry.

But a spokeswoman for the State Coroner's office yesterday said there would be no inquest.

"We can confirm it is not being reopened," she said.

Former Det-Insp John Noonan, who led the Walsh St investigation, said an approach will been made on behalf of the Tynan and Eyre families to see whether there were grounds for an appeal against the decision to reject an inquest.

Mr Noonan said he would meet lawyer David Galbally today to discuss an approach to State Attorney-General Rob Hulls.

McEvoy, an armed robber and rapist recently convicted of threatening Victorian police, told the Herald Sun he was prepared to appear before a coronial inquiry.

"I have nothing to fear from answering questions about Walsh St," he said.

McEvoy, Victor Peirce, Trevor Pettingill and Anthony Farrell were acquitted of the murders in 1991.

Peirce's wife Wendy claimed in 2005 that McEvoy was involved in the killings. McEvoy denied the allegation and said he doubted she had any credibility.

McEvoy was a friend of armed robber Graeme Jensen, shot dead by police in Narre Warren the day before Walsh St.

Investigators believed the Tynan-Eyre killings were revenge for Jensen's death.

Prosecutors alleged McEvoy said "two dogs have got to die" after learning of Jensen's shooting.

McEvoy admitted he was deeply upset by Jensen's death, but denied he sought revenge.

He said he was at a friend's house when the policemen were shot in South Yarra.

"That's where I was from 1am to 6am. I know I was loaded (framed).

"I know Anthony Farrell wasn't there. I dunno about the rest of them, but I wasn't there."

After being cleared of Walsh St, McEvoy served a prison sentence for an armed robbery.

Once free he left Victoria, saying he feared police might kill him.

"The police would never have left me alone."

McEvoy's hatred of some Victorian police was exposed during a September court hearing in NSW in which he admitted making violent threats in phone calls to the force's St Kilda Rd crime department headquarters.

A Newcastle court heard McEvoy rang on February 1 this year and mocked officers about the Tynan-Eyre killings.

"Police deserve to die and you can get f------" he said.

In a call later that night, McEvoy said: "If I had an M16 (military-style automatic rifle), I'd wipe out 20 of you c---s.

"The 12th of October, 1988, Steve Tynan and Damian Eyre -- what a shame they died. Boo f---ing hoo."

McEvoy told the Herald Sun he regretted the calls.

"I'd like to think that stage is behind me," he said.

Former SOG officer Tony Currie, one of the officers named in McEvoy's phone threats, said he was disgusted the convicted criminal was fined only $300.

"I think it's disgraceful," he said.

"A bloke with his record can do that and get a $300 fine.

"He's just a coward."