‘Dublin won’t investigate Garda-IRA collusion in my brother’s murder’

A man whose brother was murdered through alleged Garda-IRA collusion says he is “so angry” that he can get no communication from Dublin, three years after they promised him action.
By Philip Bradfield
Published 7th Oct 2020, 06:30 BST
Updated 7th Oct 2020, 12:14 BST
The IRA riddled Ian Sproule's car with bullets at his home in Castlederg in 1991. They later produced a Garda intelligence file on Ian to justify their murder, something his family says demonstrates collusion.The IRA riddled Ian Sproule's car with bullets at his home in Castlederg in 1991. They later produced a Garda intelligence file on Ian to justify their murder, something his family says demonstrates collusion.
The IRA riddled Ian Sproule's car with bullets at his home in Castlederg in 1991. They later produced a Garda intelligence file on Ian to justify their murder, something his family says demonstrates collusion.

Ian Sproule, 24, was gunned down by the IRA at his Castlederg home in 1991. The IRA justified the murder with a Garda intelligence file, which claimed he was a UVF member, something his family firmly denies. They believe that someone in the Garda leaked the file to the IRA to have him murdered.

The Sproule family met with the Garda Síochána Ombudsman Commission (GSOC) just over three years ago, and say they were assured there was a case to answer. However despite some 30 letters and emails, they say there has been no communication of any substance since. 

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Ian’s brother, John, said: “GSOC gave us their word that they would do something about it. They did say there was a case to be answered. At the end of the day it makes you so angry. We know there was collusion but they are doing nothing about it.” 

Ian Sproule was shot dead by the IRA at his home in 1991. The IRA later produced a Garda file to justify the murder.Ian Sproule was shot dead by the IRA at his home in 1991. The IRA later produced a Garda file to justify the murder.
Ian Sproule was shot dead by the IRA at his home in 1991. The IRA later produced a Garda file to justify the murder.

After six years of requests, he met Irish Foreign Minister Simon Coveney with DUP MLA Diane Dodds and SEFF Advocacy Manager Ken Funston in Dublin last year. 

“He wouldn’t commit himself to say there was a case but he said he would write to GSOC and that they would get back to us. But they still haven’t, and neither has he.”

In 2012 it emerged at the Dublin-based Smithwick Tribunal that former Garda Commissioner Noel Conroy had carried out an inquiry into claims of collusion in the murder. The Sproule family were shocked and have since lobbied unsuccessfully to see a copy of the report.

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Diane Dodds said: “The Sproule family had to battle for many years to even achieve meetings with Garda and Government representatives. Dublin constantly demands answers and action from the UK. Now it needs to display the same openness it so loudly demands of others.”

John Sproule and Ken Funston delivering a file to the Attorney General last year, calling for a new inquest into the murder of John's brother, Ian.John Sproule and Ken Funston delivering a file to the Attorney General last year, calling for a new inquest into the murder of John's brother, Ian.
John Sproule and Ken Funston delivering a file to the Attorney General last year, calling for a new inquest into the murder of John's brother, Ian.

Ken Funston said GSOC clearly told the family in a meeting three years ago that they wanted to take the case on. “In February 2018 they would have a decision by the end of that month,” he said.T”hat was the last substantive response we had despite some 30 letters and emails.” 

He said Simon Coveney, the Garda Commissioner, Diane Dodds, Gregory Campbell MP and Dolores Kelly MLA have all written to GSOC about the case but have got no response.

GSOC confirmed it had received letters from them all, but said the matter remains “under consideration” and said it would make no further comment.

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The Irish Department of Foriegn Affairs, Department of Justice and Garda all declined to comment.

Asked why it would not show the family the file on the murder, the PSNI replied that it was due to meet the family next week.

Former Labour MP, Lady Kate Hoey, appealed to the Taoiseach to intervene.

“It is disappointing that the Irish Government doesn’t put the same amount of effort into getting to the bottom of the collusion between the IRA and elements of the Garda as it does into demanding justice for alleged victims of British army and police action,” she said. “I would call on the new Taoiseach Micheal Martin to press the Garda Ombudsman Commission to provide urgent responses to the long suffering Sproule family.”

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Garda makes “no progress” on probing IRA collusion findings of Smithwick Inquiry in seven years, says Irish government

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