Public inquiry into IRA collusion claims
A public inquiry is to be held into allegations of collusion between members of the Garda Síochána and the IRA killers of two Royal Ulster Constabulary officers, the Government confirmed today.
Justice Minister Michael McDowell said he had gained Government backing for the inquiry after it was recommended in a report by Canadian judge Peter Cory.
RUC Superintendent Bob Buchanan and Inspector Harry Breen were killed as they returned to Northern Ireland following a meeting with Garda officers in Dundalk in 1987.
No public inquiry is to be carried out into the deaths of Lord Justice Maurice and Lady Cecily Gibson in 1997, following a recommendation by Judge Cory, Mr McDowell also confirmed.
Mr McDowell said Mr Justice Cory had considered all the relevant material, including intelligence reports, and concluded that evidence was revealed that, if accepted, could be found to constitute collusion in the murders of officers Breen and Buchanan.
As a result, Mr Justice Cory recommended a public inquiry into the matter, he confirmed.
Mr McDowell urged republicans to co-operate fully with the public inquiry into the murders.
“I want to stress that the success or failure of the inquiry which will be held into these horrific murders will, in substantial part, depend on the degree of co-operation which will be forthcoming from potential witnesses.
“The material available to Judge Cory was limited. The perpetrators of the Breen and Buchanan murders will now face a simple choice.
“Do they expect others to co-operate fully with all of the Cory inquiries?
“If so, do they intend co-operating in like manner with the Breen and Buchanan inquiry?
“That is the issue for the so-called republican movement to answer clearly,” he said.
The specific terms of reference for the public inquiry will be drafted in due course by Mr McDowell, in consultation with the republic's Attorney General, he confirmed.
In the case of Lord Justice and Lady Gibson, who were murdered in an IRA car bomb in April 1987, Mr Justice Cory concluded that there was no evidence of collusion by the Garda Siochana, or any other government agency, that would warrant the holding of an inquiry, Mr McDowell confirmed.
