1 April 1999 Edition
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.''
And 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.
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.''
And 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.