Killer’s story supports SF claims

The latest revelations of murder and collusion to emanate from Northern Ireland will hardly challenge the public’s readiness to believe, coming as they do in the aftermath of the Stevens Inquiry and the disclosures about “Stakeknife” this week.

Nevertheless, claims made by Michael Stone who murdered three men and injured many others in Milltown cemetery during the funerals of the Gibraltar Three cannot be ignored.

For years Sinn Féin has claimed that the East Belfast loyalist had been aided and abetted by the security forces in carrying out one of the most notorious attacks in the troubled history of Northern Ireland.

Stone now corroborates this claim, with his assertion that the security forces facilitated his safe passage to and from the cemetery, and that he was supplied with aerial pictures and maps to assist his murderous endeavour.

Sinn Féin's Gerry Adams and Martin McGuinness were originally targeted by the loyalist terrorist, but fate intervened to save them.

But Stone still murdered three people at the funerals, and the television images of that fateful day are indelible in the memories of those who saw the coverage.

His revelations add to those uncovered by the Stevens Inquiry into the shameful collusion by members of the security forces with loyalist terrorists.

They also support the demand by the Irish Government that a full independent inquiry be established to bring those responsible to justice.