7 May 1998 Edition

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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.

An 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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