McNulty calls for answers on Stakeknife investigation

By Michael Scott
Published 9th Aug 2024, 16:35 BST
Freddie Scappaticci, 'Stakeknife', was linked to a series of kidnappings, tortures and murders when he was working as a British army agent within the IRA’s Internal Security Unit. He died aged 77 in April 2023.Freddie Scappaticci, 'Stakeknife', was linked to a series of kidnappings, tortures and murders when he was working as a British army agent within the IRA’s Internal Security Unit. He died aged 77 in April 2023.
Freddie Scappaticci, 'Stakeknife', was linked to a series of kidnappings, tortures and murders when he was working as a British army agent within the IRA’s Internal Security Unit. He died aged 77 in April 2023.
SDLP MLA Justin McNulty has said that the recent discovery of previously undisclosed documents on the IRA agent Stakeknife “beggars belief”

Mr. McNulty was speaking after “hundreds” of documents are said to have been discovered by British Intelligence in relation to IRA killer Stakeknife, which were not previously disclosed to a major police investigation.

Operation Kenova, which was set up in 2016, asked MI5 and other agencies for all material they held about Stakeknife, at a cost of £40m. Based on the files submitted by Operation Kenova, the Public Prosecution Service decided in February that there was insufficient evidence to charge anyone.

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Responding to the revelations, SDLP Newry & Armagh MLA & Stormont Justice Committee Member Justin McNulty said: “I think these revelations completely beggar belief. Failure to disclose pertinent files undermines the Kenova Investigation, it disrespects families, and it impedes the search for truth and justice.

“I think the claims that these files were uncovered innocently during a process of digitisation are for the birds.

“There are serious questions that need to be answered here, and I have put that to the Justice Minister. I am not satisfied with the response I have received from her, and so I will continue to press her to take a leadership role here in search of answers.

“Freddie Scappaticci’s victims deserve justice. There are people in my constituency that were sent to early graves because of that man and his depravity. I have a responsibility to pursue truth and justice on their behalf. I believe that it is incumbent on our Justice Minister to lead the charge on that front.“