MARGARET Thatcher knew about collusion among loyalist paramilitaries in the North of Ireland during the Troubles but did not act on it, a new documentary has claimed.
There have been widespread calls for an independent inquiry into state collusion during the Troubles since Collusion aired on RTÉ on Monday night (June 15).
The investigative documentary focused on attacks carried out in the North by the Glenanne Gang, including the Dublin and Monaghan bombings.
It also looked at the murder of Pat Finucane, a Belfast solicitor who was killed by loyalist paramilitaries acting in collusion with MI5 in 1989.
It claimed that Mrs Thatcher, who was the British Prime Minister at the time, ignored widespread collusion among loyalist paramilitaries in the North and in the Republic.
The documentary has strengthened the argument for an inquiry to be held, one organisation claims.
London-based human rights organisation Rights Watch (UK), which is campaigning for justice in the death of Pat Finucane as well as the Glenanne Gang’s actions, believes an inquiry must take place.
“Not only did the UK Government know that it was happening but indirectly sanctioned it,” said Yasmine Ahmed, the organisation’s director. “The Government must now accept that nothing but an independent investigation will be sufficient to ensure the families and victims have access to the truth and an adequate remedy.
“The lack of a public inquiry into the death of Patrick Finucane, and the failure by the police to investigate the Glennane Gang and Kingsmill cases show the inadequacy of the current investigatory system in cases where there is clear evidence of collusion.”
In 2011 Prime Minister David Cameron met with the family of Pat Finucane and admitted state collusion in the human rights lawyer’s death – but no member of the British military has ever been brought to justice for it.
Rights Watch (UK) maintains that an independent inquiry is the only way to proceed in their quest for justice.
“We must ensure that there is adequate accountability for the past so that these dirty tactics are never utilised again,” Ms Ahmed added.
