HC Deb 18 April 1990 vol 170 cc883-4W
Mr. Maginnis

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland which organisations are believed to have been responsible for the terrorist killings of Sam McClean and Harold Keys in the Irish Republic after 15 November 1985; and if anyone has been made amenable to the courts for these murders.

Mr. Cope

[holding answer 23 March 1990]: Despite the best efforts of the Irish authorities I understand that no one has been made amenable to the courts for these callous murders. In the absence of a criminal conviction it is not possible to say who the murderers were, but in both cases the Provisional IRA is reported to have claimed responsibility.

Mr. Maginnis

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland which organisations are believed to have been responsible for the terrorist killings of Cormac McCabe, John Reid, Stanley Hazelton and Seamus McAvoy in the Irish Republic prior to 15 November 1985; and if anyone has been made amendable to the courts for these murders.

Mr. Cope

[holding answer 23 March 1990]: Despite the best efforts of the Irish authorities I understand that no one has been made amenable to the courts for the callous murders of John Reid, Stanley Hazelton and Seamus McAvoy. The investigation into the murder of Cormac McCabe, which is believed to have taken place in Northern Ireland, was conducted by the RUC and has proved similarly inconclusive. In the absence of criminal convictions it is not possible to say who the murderers were, but in the cases of Mr. Reid and Mr. McAvoy the Provisional IRA is reported to have claimed responsibility.

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