New forensic evidence identifies 1970s IRA bombers
IRA
bombings and shootings in Britain between 1974-1976, have been identified, according to legacy investigators in
Belfast
.
Suspects for these attacks, now in their 70s and 80s, have been linked to the incidents by forensic evidence subjected to new scientific testing ordered by the Independent Commission for Reconciliation and Information Recovery (ICRIR) in Belfast.
However, the Irish
Government
faces pressure to offer greater co-operation with legacy investigations into killings that took place during the Troubles.
Investigators have made progress in an investigation into the no-warning pub bombings in Guildford Surrey. The bombings occurred five days before the British October 1974 general election.
READ MORE
The Horse and Groom bomb, believed to been left by a man and women posing as a courting couple, killed four soldiers from the nearby barracks and a civilian. The victims were aged between 17 and 21.
The ICRIR investigation focuses on a February 1974 M62 motorway coach bombing, in which the IRA placed 25 pounds of high explosive inside the luggage locker of a coach carrying off-duty soldiers and their families.
The bomb detonated just after midnight as the bus travelled to a British military base, killing nine soldiers and three civilians and injuring 38. It resulted in wrongful conviction and jailing of Judith Ward, who served 17 years before her conviction was quashed.
At the heart of the investigation by the ICRIR are the construction methods used to make the IRA bombs for the 1970s campaign in Britain.
'Due to very significant advances in forensic science since these atrocities half a century ago, we have developed some highly significant leads,' said the organisation's deputy commissioner Keith Surtees.
There is 'the real prospect of finally bringing' IRA members who were involved in some 70 bombings and shootings to justice, the former Metropolitan Police commander told The Irish Times.
[
Forensic advances bring chance of new prosecutions for 1970s IRA bombings
Opens in new window
]
The ICRIR also wants the Irish Government to strengthen co-operation with its work. Investigators involved in Operation Kenova were unhappy with the help offered previously.
Separate An Garda Síochána and judicial liaison mechanisms to expedite requests for evidence and information that is held by the Garda, military intelligence in Dublin or other quarters is now sought.
'If you want to fully investigate cases like Narrow Water, a joint framework with the Irish Government is needed,' one official closely involved in the situation told The Irish Times, speaking on condition of anonymity.
Surtees was the chief investigator for Operation Kenova, which established the British agent code-named Stakeknife's involvement in 13 murders and 15 abductions of suspected fellow agents and informers.
Up to now, legacy investigations have largely, but not entirely, centred on prosecutions against British soldiers for alleged actions during the Troubles, so the new chapter in the ICRIR's work will be keenly noted in many quarters.
Following requests from family members, the ICRIR is also investigating the August 1979 ambush that killed 18
British army
soldiers in Warrenpoint, when the IRA detonated explosives from the southern side of the Border.
The Warrenpoint killings on northern side of Carlingford Lough, caused by two large roadside bombs at Narrow Water Castle at the Co Down beauty spot, constituted the deadliest attack on the British army during the Troubles.
Both bombs were deliberately set off half an hour apart by radio control by IRA men 200 yards across the lough on its southern bank. A British tourist was also killed on the shore in Co Louth by army gunfire.
The attack happened five hours after Lord Louis Mountbatten, uncle to the late Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh, was assassinated by an IRA bomb in his fishing boat in Mullaghmore, Co Sligo. Two family members and a 15-year-old boy also died.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Irish Times
an hour ago
- Irish Times
The Irish Times view on the presidential race: contortions and expediency
Less than a week after Mairead McGuinness's shock withdrawal from the presidential election, Fine Gael appears already well on its way to settling on a replacement. Heather Humphreys has established such a commanding lead over Seán Kelly in pledged parliamentary support that the race may effectively be over before a single vote is cast. Kelly, however, may be less inclined to bow out gracefully this time. After all, had he stayed in the contest earlier in the summer, rather than stepping aside for McGuinness, he would by now be the party's standard-bearer. What has followed since McGuinness's announcement has been a study in political flexibility, not to say expediency. Both contenders have been obliged to explain why they now covet a role they had so recently declined. In June, Kelly reflected aloud that he was content in Brussels, invoking John B Keane as he wondered whether he truly wanted to trade Kerry for seven years in the Áras. His conclusion was no. Humphreys, for her part, told RTÉ in May that she had no interest in returning to public life, having retired from frontline politics to spend time with her family. All, it seems, has now changed utterly. READ MORE Fine Gael, which carefully stage-managed McGuinness's uncontested nomination, now benefits once again from having a bench of plausible successors to choose from. The same cannot be said for its rivals. Fianna Fáil and Sinn Féin continue to deliberate, with little sign of consensus around a credible nominee. Their reluctance reflects a more basic problem: neither party has a clear candidate who could avoid the fate of the also-ran. Sinn Féin is reported this week to be edging towards endorsing Catherine Connolly. Should that materialise, and with the route for an Independent nominee narrowing by the day, attention will turn squarely to Fianna Fáil. It has been more than 50 years since the presidency was last contested in a straight two-way contest. It may fall to Micheál Martin to avoid such a narrow choice being presented to the electorate. There are strong arguments for Fianna Fáil to enter the fray. First, it would signal confidence from the State's largest party, which has not contested a presidential election this century. Second, neither Connolly nor Humphreys (assuming she is the Fine Gael nominee) are unbeatable. Neither has been tested in the uniquely unforgiving environment of a presidential campaign. Each is perfectly capable of the sort of verbal slips or missteps that have derailed hopefuls before. If, as some in Leinster House suspect, Martin already has a name in his pocket, the only question now is when he chooses to reveal it.
Irish Times
an hour ago
- Irish Times
Dublin Bus driver beaten with metal object during ‘random' daylight attack, court hears
A Dublin Bus driver was beaten to the back of the head with punches and a metal object during a 'random and unprovoked' daylight attack on a street in the capital, a court has heard. Romanian national Ionut Christian Biraz (39), of no fixed address, arrived in Ireland three months ago. He was charged with assault causing harm to the 63-year-old driver, who was walking at the time on Beresford Place, near the Custom House, in the city centre. Mr Biraz is also charged with producing a weapon during the incident at about 2pm on Tuesday. He was refused bail after appearing before Judge Brennan at Dublin District Court on Wednesday. READ MORE Garda Katherine Ward cited a flight risk, Mr Biraz's lack of ties to the State, the seriousness of the case and fears for public safety. She alleged Mr Biraz used a metal implement and attacked the driver in a random and unprovoked manner. She said the Dublin Bus driver had been walking home after his shift and was 'struck in the back of the head with a metal article, 12 inches in length, from behind'. The contested bail hearing was told that before the victim registered what had occurred, he was punched again to the back of his head from behind, which caused him to fall to the ground. The court heard several people were on the street at the time, and the officer said it was fortunate that gardaí were in the immediate area. Directions from the Director of Public Prosecutions must be obtained, and an additional charge could be brought, the court heard. It will be recommended that the case proceed to the Circuit Court, which can impose lengthier sentences. Garda Ward cited the level of aggression and violence used, adding that gardaí had to use pepper spray to arrest him. Garda Ward said the driver suffered swelling to his head and neck and significant emotional distress, and was 'quite shook up' afterwards. The article used to strike him was seized. She agreed with defence solicitor Eoin Lysaght that Mr Biraz had the presumption of innocence.. In response to the garda's belief the accused was planning to leave the country, Mr Lysaght said his client has no means after losing his job due to having no PPS number. Judge Brennan did not accept he was a flight risk, but refused bail on the other grounds. Mr Biraz, who listened to the proceedings with the help of an interpreter, was granted legal aid. The judge directed that he should get medical attention in custody. He will appear again at Cloverhill District Court on Thursday.
Irish Times
2 hours ago
- Irish Times
Man charged in connection with bid to kill senior PSNI detective to be released on bail
A man charged in connection with the dissident republican bid to kill a senior PSNI detective is to be released on bail, a High Court judge ruled today. Liam Robinson (45) is accused of involvement in moving a car used in the attempted murder of John Caldwell in Omagh, Co Tyrone . Prosecutors also claimed he helped recover another vehicle following an earlier failed effort to assassinate the policeman. Mr Caldwell was shot and seriously wounded in front of his son just after he finished coaching a youth football team at sports facilities in Omagh on February 22nd, 2023. READ MORE Two men wearing dark waterproof clothing opened fire on the off-duty officer, who has since retired from the PSNI on medical grounds, striking him several times. The would-be killers made their getaway in a Ford Fiesta, fitted with false number plates and later found burnt out, before switching to another car. Although the New IRA claimed responsibility for attempting to kill Mr Caldwell, detectives believe other criminal factions joined forces with the terror grouping to target someone regarded as a joint enemy. Robinson, of Ardstewart in Stewartstown, Co Tyrone, has been charged with preparation of terrorist acts and perverting the course of justice. In a circumstantial case, Crown counsel claimed he can be linked to two separate incidents where Mr Caldwell was targeted. The court heard that a previous attempt to kill the policeman three weeks before the shooting failed because he was not at the sports complex. An Audi A6 car believed to have been part of that unsuccessful operation was later moved by a recovery lorry from a location in Coalisland. Based on CCTV and telephone evidence, it was claimed that Robinson assisted in moving the vehicle. He also allegedly transported another suspect from Tyrone to Belfast to collect one of two Ford Fiestas which featured in the later attack on Mr Caldwell. Counsel claimed Robinson could then be linked to an area at an industrial estate where another 'operational vehicle' was set on fire following the shooting. A further part of the case relates to alleged 'walk and talk' meetings to discuss plans with other suspects, the court heard. Robinson denies any involvement in the events surrounding the murder plot. Defence lawyers have stressed he is not accused of taking part in the shooting of Mr Caldwell or being in Omagh at the time of the attack. With other co-accused already released from custody, Madam Justice McBride granted bail on strict conditions. She prohibited Robinson from contact with any other suspects and directed that a £5,000 cash surety must be lodged.
