UK agents had role in IRA bomb atrocities

Controversy has again surfaced in the UK over claims that Britain allowed two Irish Republican Army (IRA) informers to organize "human bomb" attacks. A human rights watchdog has handed a report to the Police Service of Northern Ireland, which concludes that two British agents were central to the bombings of three British army border installations in 1990. Meanwhile the Police Ombudsman's Office in Belfast confirmed it is investigating allegations by the family of one victim that one bomb attack in October 1990 could have been prevented. The British Irish Rights Watch (BIRW) report will also put the focus back on the alleged British intelligence agent "J118." Army intelligence officer turned whistleblower Martin Ingram has alleged "J118" was Martin McGuinness, the chief negotiator of the IRA's political front group Sinn Fein. The "human bomb" tactic involved forcing civilians to drive vehicles laden with explosives into army checkpoints and included deadly sorties near the towns of Newry and Coshquin. Six British soldiers and a civilian worker at an army base died in the simultaneous blasts on either side of Northern Ireland. British Irish Rights Watch said: "This month BIRW sent a confidential report to the Historical Enquiries Team on the three incidents that occurred on Oct. 24, 1990... at least two security force agents were involved in these bombings, and allegations have been made that the 'human bomb' strategy was the brainchild of British intelligence. "Questions arise as to whether… Garda Síochána and the army's Force Research Unit had prior and/or subsequent intelligence about the bombings. These questions in turn lead to concerns about whether these attacks could have been prevented and why no one has been brought to justice." Although British Irish Rights Watch has made no reference to the identities of the informers they allege were involved in the plot, the group's intervention in the controversy is a significant development. The group has issued several detailed reports previously outlining cases of collusion between loyalist militants and the security forces. These include the Pat Finucane murder and the killing of Raymond McCord Jr. by the Ulster Volunteer Force. In both cases, British Irish Rights Watch claim many of the loyalists involved in these murders were agents for the security forces–allegations that were later substantiated. Speaking from a secret location in Europe this weekend, Ingram (not his real name) said that while the latest report was not decisive proof over his claims about "J118," it raised questions about the role of informers in the "human bomb" killings. "This report from a very credible source brings up the question of informers working at the top tier of the IRA who were allowed to commit crimes up to murder while working for the state. "I stand by what I have said in the past about 'J118' and challenge anyone to debate it with me in a public forum." Ingram, a former member of the army's highly secretive Force Research Unit, said he was prepared to expose his own identity in public in any such debate.