New evidence on Loughgall Martyrs
By Michael Pierse
New independent evidence regarding the SAS and RUC operation,
which resulted in the killing of eight IRA Volunteers and one
civilian at Loughgall on 8 May 1987, has been revealed by the
Loughgall Truth and Justice Campaign.
According to the evidence, gathered in a year-long investigation
by legal counsel to the campaign, the SAS operation made no
efforts to prevent the IRA Volunteers from conducting their
offensive and furthermore was orchestrated to execute the unit.
independent report by ex - US Navy Seal Kenneth Cummings, who
was a trainee of British Special Operations Groups, has suggested
that the SAS acted as ``judge, jury and executioner'' for the nine
killed, including one civilian. In his report there is an
unequivocal indictment of the methods used on the fateful day in
Loughgall as being a premeditated ambush, intended to execute the
volunteers involved and ``to also send a message to demoralize
other IRA personnel.'' In essence `` it is clear to any reasonable
prudent professional involved in such military matters that a
classic elimination plan of these eight IRA individuals and two
innocent civilians was executed by the SAS.'' It is also stated
that the RUC barracks, which was known by the crown forces in
advance to be the intended target of the unit, was unmanned, and
any pretence of saving lives is implausible. The true callousness
of the SAS operation was underlined by what Cummings said is
``consistent with SAS practice of taking a `souvenir'.'' This, he
conveyed, may explain the missing tooth of Patrick Kelly.
Cummings also referred to the report conducted by Dr Hiroshi
Nakazawa as unearthing evidence suggesting the SAS actions were
consistent with a ``Shoot - to - kill'' policy. Nakazawa commented
that the hasty ``back - to - back'' autopsies did not ``provide a
full opportunity for a proper review.'' Victims of the SAS ambush,
he revealed, ``sustained mortal wounds while lying on the ground''
and civilian Patrick J Kelly received ``wounds to the head that
exposed the brain.'' There was, he concluded, ``excessive force
utilised.''
Máiréad Kelly of the Loughgall Truth and Justice Campaign stated
this week that they are ``now calling for the British Government
to open a full and independent inquiry into the murders of the
nine men at Loughgall and to hold those responsible, accountable
for their actions that night.''
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