Menu
24/06/2005
IRA apologises for schoolgirl murder
The IRA has apologised for killing a 14-year-old schoolgirl in Londonderry more than 30 years ago.
In a statement in the Derry Journal newspaper on Friday, the republican group admitted responsibility for the death of Kathleen Feeney near her Brandywell home in 1973.
At the time of her death, the Provisional IRA blamed the British Army for the killing and claimed later it killed a soldier in retaliation.
Today’s statement read: “The leadership of Oglaigh na hEireann has been asked by the Feeney family to examine the circumstances surrounding the death of their sister and to publicly acknowledge that she was killed by the IRA.
"The IRA leadership agreed to do so.
“We found, as the Feeney family have always believed, that Kathleen was hit by one of a number of shots fired by an IRA active service unit that had fired upon a British Army foot patrol in the Lecky Road area."
Sinn Fein has so far refused to comment on the statement.
Meanwhile, Irish Justice Minister, Michael McDowell, has claimed that up to 1,500 people are actively involved in the IRA.
Speaking in Ireland's parliament, the Dail, Mr McDowell said that he also believed internal consultations within the Provisional IRA were at an "advanced stage" in response to Gerry Adams’ recent call for the group to "fully embrace and accept" democratic means.
The minister said that the IRA would have to respond with actions which convince all communities that their armed struggle is over and that paramilitarism and criminality is at an end.
(MB/SP)
In a statement in the Derry Journal newspaper on Friday, the republican group admitted responsibility for the death of Kathleen Feeney near her Brandywell home in 1973.
At the time of her death, the Provisional IRA blamed the British Army for the killing and claimed later it killed a soldier in retaliation.
Today’s statement read: “The leadership of Oglaigh na hEireann has been asked by the Feeney family to examine the circumstances surrounding the death of their sister and to publicly acknowledge that she was killed by the IRA.
"The IRA leadership agreed to do so.
“We found, as the Feeney family have always believed, that Kathleen was hit by one of a number of shots fired by an IRA active service unit that had fired upon a British Army foot patrol in the Lecky Road area."
Sinn Fein has so far refused to comment on the statement.
Meanwhile, Irish Justice Minister, Michael McDowell, has claimed that up to 1,500 people are actively involved in the IRA.
Speaking in Ireland's parliament, the Dail, Mr McDowell said that he also believed internal consultations within the Provisional IRA were at an "advanced stage" in response to Gerry Adams’ recent call for the group to "fully embrace and accept" democratic means.
The minister said that the IRA would have to respond with actions which convince all communities that their armed struggle is over and that paramilitarism and criminality is at an end.
(MB/SP)
Related Northern Ireland News Stories
Click here for the latest headlines.
28 July 2005
IRA statement in full...
Unusually the following IRA statement was read out by by a former IRA prisoner, and apparently was not signed "P. O'Neill"... "The leadership of Óglaigh na hÉireann has formally ordered an end to the armed campaign. This will take effect from 4pm [16.00 BST] this afternoon. All IRA units have been ordered to dump arms.
IRA statement in full...
Unusually the following IRA statement was read out by by a former IRA prisoner, and apparently was not signed "P. O'Neill"... "The leadership of Óglaigh na hÉireann has formally ordered an end to the armed campaign. This will take effect from 4pm [16.00 BST] this afternoon. All IRA units have been ordered to dump arms.
18 April 2003
Adams claims IRA response is ‘unparalleled’
Sinn Féin president Gerry Adams has told a meeting of party members that the IRA statement issued to the British and Irish governments contained elements that were “unparalleled” in republican history. Mr Adams attending a meeting held in a Newry hotel maintained that the IRA statement was both “clear and unambiguous”.
Adams claims IRA response is ‘unparalleled’
Sinn Féin president Gerry Adams has told a meeting of party members that the IRA statement issued to the British and Irish governments contained elements that were “unparalleled” in republican history. Mr Adams attending a meeting held in a Newry hotel maintained that the IRA statement was both “clear and unambiguous”.
06 May 2003
Empey challenges DUP to publish alternative proposals
Former Economy Minister Sir Reg Empey has challenged the DUP to publish their detailed proposals for ‘A Fair Deal’. In a statement, the UUP councillor said that now the Joint Declaration had been published - and with an IRA statement imminent - the time was right to see what alternatives the DUP could offer.
Empey challenges DUP to publish alternative proposals
Former Economy Minister Sir Reg Empey has challenged the DUP to publish their detailed proposals for ‘A Fair Deal’. In a statement, the UUP councillor said that now the Joint Declaration had been published - and with an IRA statement imminent - the time was right to see what alternatives the DUP could offer.
09 May 2007
Mother of IRA murder victim dies
The mother of an IRA murder victim whose body was never found, suffered a major stroke last week and died in Craigavon Area Hospital. 82-year-old Vera McVeigh campaigned for the return of her son's body after the IRA secretly buried his body in 1975.
Mother of IRA murder victim dies
The mother of an IRA murder victim whose body was never found, suffered a major stroke last week and died in Craigavon Area Hospital. 82-year-old Vera McVeigh campaigned for the return of her son's body after the IRA secretly buried his body in 1975.
23 March 2005
IRA again deny involvement in McCartney murder
The IRA has again reiterated its stance that it was not behind the murder of Belfast man Robert McCartney in January. In its Easter statement published in the republican paper An Phoblacht on Tuesday the republican group said that Mr McCartney’s crime was wrong. “The IRA has spelt out its position in relation to the killing of Robert McCartney.
IRA again deny involvement in McCartney murder
The IRA has again reiterated its stance that it was not behind the murder of Belfast man Robert McCartney in January. In its Easter statement published in the republican paper An Phoblacht on Tuesday the republican group said that Mr McCartney’s crime was wrong. “The IRA has spelt out its position in relation to the killing of Robert McCartney.
-
Northern Ireland WeatherThis Evening and Tonight:Apart from a little patchy drizzle it will be a dry evening and night with variable amounts of cloud. A few mist and fog patches forming. Minimum temperature 7 °C.
