Calls mount for collusion inquiry
As retired Canadian judge Peter Cory prepared to hand in his reports on six controversial killings during the Troubles to the Irish and British Governments, nationalists called for a new probe into the killing of Belfast teenager Gerard O’Hara.
The 18-year-old student was gunned down by the Ulster Freedom Fighters in his North Belfast home in front of his mother, Bridie, as they settled down to watch television in September, 1992.
A new book on jailed loyalist Johnny Adair and infamous C Company unit has alleged the UFF gang was encouraged by a police officer to attack the family’s home in the New Lodge area.
Mad Dog: The Rise and Fall of Johnny Adair and C Company, by journalists David Lister and Hugh Jordan, claims a loyalist was told by an RUC member that one of O’Hara’s six brothers was a member of the IRA. According to the authors, the allegation was unsubstantiated.
The book also alleges Adair’s unit was tipped off by police about a safe house used by Sinn Féin leaders, including Gerry Adams, on the outskirts of West Belfast, but did not mount an attack.
An RPG-7 rocket attack was, however, launched by C Company at the Rock Bar in West Belfast following information that it was being used by the IRA for meetings.
A C Company gunman told the authors how, during police interrogations, a CID officer would let them hear republicans being quizzed and tell them what they were suspected of.
Bridie O’Hara said yesterday the book’s claims had confirmed her suspicions Gerard was a victim of collusion.
