IRA investigation locates grave sites
After an 18-month investigation to locate the graves of people
executed and buried in a period from 1972 to 1981 the IRA revealed,
on Monday 29 March, that it has now identified the burial places of
nine of those it killed.
In its statement, Oglaigh na hEireann said its efforts to locate the
bodies was intended to, ``rectify any injustice ... and alleviate the
suffering of the families.
We are sorry that this has taken so long to resolve and for the
prolonged anguish caused to the families.''
The IRA statement acknowledged that its investigation had faced many
complicating factors, which hampered and protracted the
investigation, which was now concluded.
However, an IRA spokesperson reiterated to An Phoblacht that the
issue of retrieving the bodies was a humanitarian one and would have
been concluded a year ago had the information been available.
The IRA spokesperson said the organisation had attempted to locate
the body of SAS operative Captain Robert Nairac, who was killed in
1977, but they failed to do so.
The spokesperson also replied to critics who had accused the IRA of
cynicism by disclosing the information at this time, saying: ``The IRA
had instigated an investigation 18 months ago and was aware of the
humanitarian aspects of the issue.''
d regarding an RUC operation in West Belfast in December last year,
when they carried out a search at Glencolin Way, the IRA spokesperson
said: ``At no time did the IRA lead anyone to believe any of the
bodies were buried in Glencolin.''
The RUC claimed they were acting on a tip-off, although after a
week-long search nothing was found.
``Whoever tipped off the RUC did so for their own cynical reason,''
stated the IRA spokesperson.
Prior to the IRA's statement release, Dublin justice minister John
O'Donoghue said the Dublin government was prepared to introduce
legislation so that , ``evidence resulting from that process (of
locating the bodies) could not be used in the prosecution of
offences''.
In a statement, British direct ruler Mo Mowlam said: ``Evidence
uncovered with the remains would not be used in subsequent criminal
proceedings''.
The full text of the IRA statement reads:
``Eighteen months ago we established a special unit under the command
of one of our most senior officers to ascertain the whereabouts of a
number of people executed and buried by Oglaigh na hEireann
approximately 20 years ago.
``These burials took place prior to an Army Council directive that
anyone killed by Oglaigh na hEireann should be left for burial by
their relatives. The issue has caused incalculable pain and distress
to a number of families over a period of many years.
``Despite many complicating factors which have both hampered and
protracted this investigation, including the lapse in time, changes
in leadership, and the deaths of both members and former members of
Oglaigh na hEireann who were involved, we can now conclude this
enquiry.
``We believe we have established the whereabouts of the graves of nine
people, some of whom were members of Oglaigh na hEireann who were
executed for activities which put other Oglaigh na hEireann personnel
at risk or jeopardised the struggle. Information regarding the
location of these graves is now being processed and will hopefully
result in the speedy retrieval of the bodies.
``As we have previously stated, we are not responsible for all those
previously listed in the media as having gone missing over the last
30 years. We are responsible for those we have acknowledged today and
their families have all been notified.
``In initiating this investigation our intention has been to do all
within our power to rectify any injustice for which we accept full
responsibility and to alleviate the suffering of the families. We are
sorry that this has taken so long to resolve and for prolonged
anguish caused to the families.''
IRA sources named those whose graves had been identified and
clarified the reason why the IRA executed them.
Seamus Wright, from West Belfast, a member of the IRA, was
court-martialled in 1972 and found guilty of being a British army
agent and a member of the Military Reaction Force (MRF), a specialist
dirty tricks unit that carried out undercover operations against
nationalists, including assassinations.
Kevin McKee, from West Belfast, a member of the IRA, was
court-martialled in 1972 and found guilty of being a British army
agent and member of the MRF.
Eamon Molloy, from Belfast, a member of the IRA, was court-martialled
in 1975 and found guilty of being an RUC informer.
Jean McConville, a civilian from Belfast, was arrested by Oglaigh na
hEireann in 1972 and admitted to being a British army informer.
Columba McVeigh, a civilian from Co Tyrone, was arrested by Oglaigh
na hEireann in 1975 and admitted to being a British army agent who
was directed to infiltrate Oglaigh na hEireann.
Brendan Megraw, a civilian from Belfast, was arrested by Oglaigh na
hEireann in 1978 and admitted to being a British army agent
provocateur and member of MRF.
John McClory, a civilian from Belfast, was arrested by Oglaigh na
hEireann in 1978 and admitted stealing weapons from an Oglaigh na
hEireann dump and using the weapons in armed robberies..
Brian McKinney, a civilian from Belfast, was arrested by Oglaigh na
hEireann in 1978 and admitted stealing weapons from an Oglaigh na
hEireann dump and using the weapons in armed robberies.
Danny Mcllhone, a civilian from Belfast, was arrested by Oglaigh na
hEireann in 1978 and admitted stealing weapons from an Oglaigh na
hEireann dump and using the weapons in armed robberies.
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