Former RUC Officer John Weir Interrogated Over Belturbet Bombing Incident
John Weir, a former RUC officer, was questioned in South Africa concerning a 1972 bomb attack in Belturbet, which killed two teenagers. He faces charges of murder and conspiracy linked to the Glenanne Gang’s activities. Weir denies all allegations, claiming his prosecution aims to discredit him amid ongoing truth-seeking efforts related to the Troubles.
A former officer of the Royal Ulster Constabulary (RUC), John Weir, is currently facing prosecution for murder in Northern Ireland. He has recently been questioned in a South African court concerning a bomb attack in Belturbet, County Cavan, which resulted in the tragic deaths of two teenagers, Geraldine O’Reilly (15) and Patrick Stanley (16) in December 1972. This investigation by the Gardaí follows the identification of new evidence related to the case in 2022.
In light of these developments, the Public Prosecution Service (PPS) has indicated its intention to prosecute Mr. Weir for murder and conspiracy, alongside charges concerning an aborted attack in the Republic of Ireland. During the court proceedings in South Africa, Weir maintained his innocence regarding the Belturbet bombing, asserting, “I said the man from An Garda Síochána…knows I have nothing to do with it.” He also expressed concerns that he is being targeted to undermine his credibility concerning ongoing investigations.
Mr. Weir allegedly has connections to the Glenanne Gang, a group implicated in numerous atrocities during the Troubles, mainly targeting innocent Catholics. The gang, composed of members from the RUC, Ulster Defence Regiment (UDR), and the Ulster Volunteer Force (UVF), operated out of a farm owned by a former RUC officer in Glenanne, South Armagh. Their criminal actions are under scrutiny by the Police Ombudsman and the Kenova investigation team as part of Operation Denton.
Weir reported that he cooperated with a member of the Gardaí during questioning and expressed his willingness to continue assisting the Operation Denton review. He emphasized the importance of revealing the truth to foster peace and reconciliation, stating, “I want all the truth to come out for all sides, but probably most important was the government’s sides.”
Both the PPS and the Police Ombudsman’s office refrained from disclosing the specific murder charges against Mr. Weir. However, it is reported they recently reached out to families affected by the Glenanne Gang’s activities. Meanwhile, Weir firmly denied any involvement in their atrocities, arguing that “nobody will ever come up with something to say” due to the absence of evidence linking him to the crimes.
Mr. Weir postulates that the authorities’ actions across both the Northern and Southern borders may be interconnected. He stated, “I think they are linked up, maybe even linked into Operation Denton, to make a case why Denton shouldn’t speak to me.” He underscored his commitment to aiding the truth-seeking process, acknowledging the necessity for openness regarding past events.
Despite his controversial past, Mr. Weir aims to underscore the value of transparency and accountability in that era. Kevin Winters, a lawyer for the affected families, expressed concerns over communication lapses and suggested that Mr. Weir is being unfairly scapegoated amidst larger investigative errors. The PPS, through a spokesperson, indicated it could not divulge further details due to ongoing legal proceedings.
In summary, John Weir’s recent questioning regarding the 1972 Belturbet bomb attack reflects ongoing efforts by authorities to address historical injustices associated with the Troubles. As a former member of the RUC and an alleged participant in the Glenanne Gang’s crimes, Mr. Weir maintains his innocence while asserting that current prosecutions aim to undermine his credibility in broader truth-seeking efforts. The complexities surrounding these allegations, including jurisdictional challenges and victim family communications, warrant continuous scrutiny as investigations unfold.
Original Source: www.irishnews.com
