Ian Watson: Child killer and one of Ireland's longest serving prisoners dies behind bars

The death of Ian Watson revives questions about a brutal 1984 murder and a justice system once shrouded in silence

Murderer Ian Watson died in the Midlands Prison on Tuesday of this week, approaching his 42nd year in custody.

Ian Gerard Watson was a chameleon. A very violent man who could hoodwink people into thinking he wouldn’t hurt a fly. 

He hid in plain sight. By the time he targeted and murdered 12-year-old Conor McCabe he was well known to Scottish police, but not to gardaí.