Irish Republican News · January 23, 2009

‘Disappeared’ claim denied

A claim that the IRA executed a South Armagh man for working as an informer in 1979 has been denied by local MP, Sinn Féin’s Conor Murphy.

A masked man, identified as an IRA member by the ‘Sunday Tribune’ newspaper, reportedly provided a map to locate the secretly buried remains of Gerard Evans near the village of Hackballscross in County Louth.

The individual accepted responsibility for the man’s death, which he said had been the result of an IRA action.

He told the reporter: “People who stand shoulder-to-shoulder with Gerry Adams when he comes to South Armagh know the IRA killed Gerry Evans.”

“They know where he is buried. Some of them even took part in the execution.

“I’m not accusing Gerry Adams of anything. But I’m saying the south Armagh IRA leadership are hypocrites.”

The report has been linked to continuing tension over the death just over a year ago of Paul Quinn, in which the Provisional IRA denied involvement and for which criminal gangs were also blamed.

The information has now been passed onto the Independent Commission for the Location of Victims Remains by an intermediary for the republican. However, it is understood no attempt has been made to excate the area for remains.

A Sinn Féin spokesman said last night there was nothing new to add other than to call again for information to be given to the Independent Commission for the Location of Victims’ Remains.

Conor Murphy has now offered to meet Mr Evans’ family to discuss the claims.

He said: “My understanding is and always has been that the IRA were not involved in that.

“Sinn Féin have always supported the family and have said anyone who has any information as to the whereabouts of Gerard Evans should bring forward information to the commission to let them test that information and hopefully the family of Gerard Evans will have some peace.”

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