IRA apologises for 1974 bomb death
The IRA has apologised to the family of a man killed in a bomb explosion three decades ago, it emerged today.
In a separate statement from its Easter message, the Provisionals said the 35-year-old from Newry was not a member of the organisation nor was he on an operation for them when he was killed at Killeen security checkpoint on the Belfast to Dublin road in October 1974.
It had not claimed at the time the father-of-five, who was an unemployed motor mechanic, had been carrying mortar boards on his motorcycle when one of them accidentally exploded.
In its statement, the IRA said it had carried out an investigation after being asked by Mr McQuaid’s family.
“Our investigation has found that an IRA operation was in place on the day aimed at a British army patrol that was known to travel that particular stretch of road regularly,” the Provisionals said.
“Eugene McQuaid was killed when an explosive device intended for the patrol was detonated prematurely.
“Eugene McQuaid was not a member of the IRA. He was not involved in the IRA operation.”
The organisation acknowledged that at the time of Mr McQuaid’s death, it did not admit its role in the incident.
“The IRA offers its sincere apologies to the McQuaid family for the death of Eugene and for the heartache and trauma that our actions have caused,” the statement said.
Mr McQuaid’s son-in-law Ciaran Tumilty welcomed the statement, insisting they had wanted to clear his name and any suggestion that he was involved in a paramilitary operation.
“This was clearly never the case and the family welcome the IRA investigation and statement,” he said.
“Those making the false allegations against Eugene never had any evidence to support their claims because none existed.
“He was never a member of a paramilitary organisation. He was a good family man.”
The statement was released through the Daily Ireland newspaper.
