IRA insists Jean McConville was informer

The IRA has released a statement claiming that Jean McConville, who was abducted, murdered and secretly buried in 1972, did pass information to security forces.

The IRA statement comes after Police Ombudsman Nuala O'Loan said her investigators had found no evidence that Jean McConville had passed information to the security forces.

The IRA claims a "thorough investigation" confirmed that the mother-of-10 "was working as an informer for the British Army" and that its inquiry followed a "public request" from Mrs McConville's family.

It said the conclusion had been reported to her son, Michael, and that he rejected it.

In 1999, the IRA admitted they had killed Mrs McConville after she went to the aid of an injured British solider.

Her remains were finally found in Co Louth three years ago.