Irish Republican Army (IRA) Statement about the death of Eugene McQuaid on 5 October 1974, (released 13 April 2006)

Text of Irish Republican Army (IRA) Statement about the death of Eugene McQuaid on 5 October 1974, (released 13 April 2006)

"On October 5 1974 Eugene McQuaid was killed as the result of an explosion, near the border at Newry.

The leadership of Óglaigh na hÉireann was asked by the McQuaid family to investigate the circumstances surrounding the death of Eugene McQuaid.

Our investigation has found that:

• An IRA operation was in place on that day aimed at a British Army patrol that was known to travel that particular stretch of the road regularly.
• Eugene McQuaid was killed when an explosive device, intended for that patrol, was detonated prematurely.
• Eugene McQuaid was not a member of the IRA. He was not involved in the IRA operation.
• At the time the IRA did not acknowledge its involvement in the incident.

The IRA leadership offers its sincere apologies to the McQuaid family for the death of Eugene and for the heartache and trauma that our actions have caused."

P O'Neill,
Irish Republican Publicity Bureau, Dublin.