Ian Sproule murder: New inquest ordered into IRA killing in 1991

Ian Sproule, 23, was shot dead at his home on the outskirts of Castlederg by the Provisional IRA.

Attorney General Dame Brenda King has now ordered a new inquest into his death.

It is aimed to establish a meaningful account of the circumstances of the death and address rumour and suspicion surrounding the murder.

The South East Fermanagh Foundation (SEFF) – who support Mr Sproule's family – have welcomed the decision.

They have described Mr Sproule as an innocent Protestant civilian who was targeted by the Provisional IRA close to the border of the Republic of Ireland.

They further claim that the terrorists “had been provided with a Garda sighting document containing Ian's personal details and photograph”.

“No-one has ever been held accountable for this act of collusion between the Provisional IRA and a member of An Garda Siochana,” SEFF has said in a statement.

The Sproule family met with then Irish premier Micheal Martin in Dublin last July as part of their campaign.

SEFF has urged that the Irish government work with the new inquest to help uncover answers around Mr Sproule's killing.

“For 30-plus years, Ian's surviving family have fought hard to advance justice, truth and accountability concerning his sectarian-motivated murder. The family have met a former taoiseach, foreign affairs ministers, secretaries of state and many others,” they said.

“Confirmation by AGNI that a new inquest has been ordered is welcomed by Ian's family and must herald a new approach in how agencies in both jurisdictions of this island deal with their concerns and unresolved questions.

“The authorities in the Republic of Ireland (inclusive of An Garda Siochana) cannot repeat the mistakes made at the Kingsmills inquest. That disclosure process was protracted and piecemeal and where to this day AGS evidence provided to the Kingsmills inquest remains secret and has never been published.

“Nothing short of full disclosure and full transparency will be acceptable in this case. There are stark questions requiring answers, including around potential collaborators within AGS and their relationship with the Provisional IRA.”

DUP MLA Diane Dodds welcomed confirmation of a new inquest, describing it as a “testament to the Sproule family's determination and courage”.

“They have never ceased in their quest to secure truth and justice for the brutal murder of an innocent young man,” she said.

Mrs Dodds added: “The collusion between members of the Garda and the Provisional IRA has been pointed to previously. The then assistant chief constable stated under oath at the Smithwick tribunal that he was satisfied beyond doubt that there was a leak from the Garda to the IRA in respect of Ian's murder.

“The inquest can shine a fresh light on something which has not received sufficient scrutiny, and Ian's case in particular has never been properly investigated by authorities in the Republic of Ireland.”