Judge who led Garda/IRA collusion probe into murder of two RUC officers dies

The senior judge who led an inquiry into claims of Garda/IRA collusion into the murder of two RUC officers has died.
By The Newsroom
Published 8th Mar 2022, 21:28 BST
Peter Smithwick retired as president of Ireland's District Court and in 2006 went on to lead a tribunal of inquiry into alleged Garda collusion in the 1989 murders of two RUC officers in south ArmaghPeter Smithwick retired as president of Ireland's District Court and in 2006 went on to lead a tribunal of inquiry into alleged Garda collusion in the 1989 murders of two RUC officers in south Armagh
Peter Smithwick retired as president of Ireland's District Court and in 2006 went on to lead a tribunal of inquiry into alleged Garda collusion in the 1989 murders of two RUC officers in south Armagh

Judge Peter Smithwick was aged 85.

He retired as president of Ireland’s District Court and in 2006 went on to lead a tribunal of inquiry into alleged Garda collusion in the 1989 murders of two RUC officers in south Armagh.

Chief Superintendent Harry Breen and Superintendent Bob Buchanan were shot and killed shortly after they crossed the border into Northern Ireland as they returned from a meeting at Dundalk Garda station.

Chief Superintendent Harry Breen (left) and Superintendent Bob BuchananChief Superintendent Harry Breen (left) and Superintendent Bob Buchanan
Chief Superintendent Harry Breen (left) and Superintendent Bob Buchanan

The IRA claimed the murders of the two senior officers.

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After several years of public hearings in Dublin, Judge Smithwick found in 2013 that he was satisfied that, on the balance of probabilities, there was collusion in the murders of the police officers.

The finding sparked an apology for failings found in the report by then Irish justice minister Alan Shatter.

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