Appeal for information amid fresh probe into death of RUC reservist
A new appeal for information has been made over the death of a reserve constable outside Newry Courthouse more than 40 years ago.
Father-of-one Michael Kay was killed while on duty by a car bomb which detonated at Newry Courthouse at 9.39am on Wednesday April 3 1985.
The Independent Commission for Reconciliation and Information Recovery has launched an appeal for witnesses to come forward in relation to its investigation into his death.
They said Mr Kay died at the scene of the attack, while a civilian member of court staff was critically injured and later died in hospital. A number of police officers sustained significant injuries, and several civilians were also injured.
The vehicle used in the bombing was a beige Toyota Corolla, registration number SZY 367, which had been stolen from outside the Star and Crescent Club in Drogheda, Republic of Ireland, on November 22 1984.
It had been fitted with false registration plates displaying FIB 9922.
Meanwhile on the night before the attack, a house in Stream Street had been taken over by a number of masked men who claimed to be members of the Provisional Irish Republican Army.
A rear window of the property had a direct line of sight towards Newry Courthouse at Trevor Hill. The three occupants of the house were held hostage until shortly after 10am on the morning of April 3 1985.
One person was convicted for their role in the attack.
Assistant Commissioner Amanda Logan said the witness appeal is central to the investigation.
She said: “First and foremost my thoughts and those of my colleagues are with the family of Michael Kay. Michael’s family have endured a loss no-one should have to experience and they have carried the pain of this tragedy for decades.
“Today’s witness appeal is central to helping find out what happened to Michael.”
She went on: “Information received as a result of previous witness appeals conducted by the Commission has proven incredibly helpful to our investigations.
“If members of the public have any details about this case, please come forward.
“All information we receive will be treated in the strictest confidence. What you know could help uncover the truth for Michael’s family of what happened on that awful day.”
The ICRIR can be contacted by telephone on 02890 362093, or by email at [email protected] .