No justice for the victims of killer IRA mole
» Troubles spy ‘cost more lives he than saved’ » £40m probe lasts 7yrs... no prosecutions
AN Army mole in the Troubles probably cost more lives than he saved, a report has found.
The agent, known as Stakeknife, was embedded in an IRA interrogation unit while working secretly for British intelligence. Security forces failed to act to prevent some murders in order not to expose their agents. Stakeknife was the codename of Freddie Scappaticci, who died last year aged 77. The interim report of Operation Kenova did not name him yesterday, but its final report is expected to do so. It linked Stakeknife to at least 14 murders and 15 abductions. More than 30 people – including ex-police, former military personnel and people linked with the IRA – were considered for prosecution on charges from murder to misconduct in public office. But no prosecutions are being pursued. Lawyer Kevin Winters, who represents 12 families, said: “The staggering takeaway is that the state could have intervened to save lives. That this didn’t happen is
The state could have saved lives ... it didn’t happen KEVIN WINTERS, LAWYER FOR FAMILIES
legally and morally reprehensible.” The probe cost £40million and was led by former Bedfordshire Police chief Jon Boutcher, who later became chief constable of the Police Service of Northern Ireland.
Mr Boutcher said in the report: “Stakeknife was a valuable asset who provided quality intelligence at considerable risk to himself.”
But he said speculation that Stakeknife had saved hundreds of lives was wide of the mark, adding the number was in the high single figures or low double figures.
He added: “This does not take account of the lives lost as a consequence of Stakeknife’s continued operation. From what I have seen, I think it probable that this resulted in more lives being lost than saved.”
Operation Kenova ran for seven years and looked at more than 50 murders by the IRA, including that of mum-of-three Caroline Moreland, who was shot in July 1994.
The Government said it could not comment until the release of the full report. A No10 spokeswoman said: “We extend our deepest sympathies with all the families who lost loved ones.”