A British court has ruled that SAS soldiers unjustifiably used lethal force in an ambush that killed four Provisional IRA members in Clonoe, County Tyrone, in 1992. The verdict, delivered by Mr Justice Michael Humphreys, found that the soldiers did not have an “honest belief” in the necessity of their actions, branding the operation as excessive and unwarranted.
The four IRA men—Kevin Barry O’Donnell, 21, Sean O’Farrell, 23, Peter Clancy, 19, and Daniel Vincent, 20—were fatally shot on 16 February 1992 in the parking lot of St Patrick’s Church. The ambush occurred minutes after they had carried out a gun attack on the Coalisland Royal Ulster Constabulary (RUC) station using a hijacked lorry equipped with a heavy machine gun.
Security forces had prior intelligence that the church car park would be used as an escape route, with 12 soldiers positioned behind a hedgerow. As the lorry entered, the SAS troops opened fire, unleashing more than 500 rounds without issuing a warning.
The inquest, which began in 2023, concluded that the operation was not conducted in a manner that minimized the need for lethal force. “The use of force by the soldiers was, in the circumstances they believed them to be, not reasonable,” Justice Humphreys stated, emphasizing that no attempt was made to arrest the IRA members, even as they lay incapacitated.
Disputed Justifications & Allegations of Cover-Up
At the time, the British government and security forces framed the ambush as a “successful” counter-terrorism operation. However, the judge rejected claims that the IRA members had fired at the soldiers in the church car park, calling them “demonstrably untrue.” Reports produced in the aftermath—some of which were given to government ministers—referred to a simultaneous gunfight, a narrative now discredited.
“The reasons for putting forward such false justifications for the actions of the soldiers are obvious,” said Justice Humphreys. “This, coupled with any lack of proper challenge of their accounts by the RUC investigators, ensured there would be no actual accountability.”
The court also found that two of the victims, O’Donnell and O’Farrell, were shot in the back while attempting to flee, with additional bullets fired into their faces as they lay wounded.
Patrick Vincent’s sister, Marian, spoke of the long fight for truth. “It has been the entirety of my life that this process has been ongoing,” she said. “It’s hard to say you’re delighted at a finding over your family member’s death. We’re overwhelmed and we’re delighted with the result, but we’re also very aware at a huge expense to us, as families.”
Solicitor Niall Murphy, representing the families, acknowledged the significance of the ruling but noted that justice had yet to be served. “Whereas truth has been excavated and published today, justice has not,” he said, suggesting that the verdict could lead to prosecutions.
Political Fallout & Divided Reactions
The ruling has reignited long-standing political divisions in Northern Ireland. Sinn Féin MP Cathal Mallaghan welcomed the verdict and called for the repeal of the UK’s controversial Legacy Act. “This ruling confirms what many in our community knew for a long time; that these four men were executed by the SAS without justification,” he said.
However, unionist parties strongly opposed the ruling. Democratic Unionist Party (DUP) leader Gavin Robinson criticized the judgement, stating: “The IRA men were legitimate military targets under the rules of engagement. Given the IRA’s history of deadly ambushes and refusal to surrender, the SAS had to act decisively to neutralize the threat.”
TUV MP Jim Allister echoed similar sentiments, asserting that the IRA members remained a danger. “When four fully armed terrorists go out on a murder mission, that mission includes their escape plan. If the continuing threat posed by such fully armed, would-be murderers is neutralized, then that is a service to the public,” he said.
Ulster Unionist Party justice spokesperson Doug Beattie dismissed the inquest’s findings as “ludicrous.” “Instead of dead police officers, civilians, and lawful military personnel, four PIRA terrorists were killed. It is ludicrous to say that the shooting was unjustified,” he said.
British Government Response
Following the ruling, Downing Street reaffirmed its commitment to supporting military veterans involved in Troubles-related cases. “Addressing the issues of the past must be done in a way that commands the support of families, survivors, and, importantly, the families of those killed serving the state,” said a government spokesperson.
“Any veteran who served during the Troubles is provided legal support where appropriate,” they added.
The verdict is expected to prompt further legal scrutiny, with families considering submitting the case to the Public Prosecution Service for potential criminal proceedings.
About Author
Leave a Reply