Aidan McAnespie
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Aidan McAnespie (1965–21 February 1988) was an Irish Catholic who was killed in contested circumstances by a bullet from a heavy machine-gun held by a soldier at Aughnacloy border checkpoint in County Tyrone, Northern Ireland during The Troubles.[1]
McAnespie, a member of Aghaloo gaelic football club, was travelling to a match when he was killed.[2] He had previously claimed that he had been threatened by the security forces.[3] According to his sister, British soldiers had threatened to kill him on several occasions. [4] The army claimed McAnespie had been hit by a ricochet when the weapon had discharged accidentally as the soldier was moving the gun with wet hands. Charges were initially brought against a Grenadier Guard for manslaughter but were dropped prior to prosecution.[5] He was fined for negligent discharge of the weapon and in 1990 was given a medical discharge.[6]
The day after the killing, the Irish Government appointed Garda Deputy Commissioner Eugene Crowley to investigate the incident.[3] The results of the investigation were received by the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform Gerard Collins on 8 April 1988, but have never been published.[7][8] A Royal Ulster Constabulary investigation also took place which concluded that the killing was accidental.[9]
McAnespie's family allege a cover-up by the British state, as they believe that an accidental discharge from 300 metres away seems highly unlikely.[10] His father in an article printed in the Observer Magazine - 13 March 1994 - said that a soldier had stopped him some fifteen months before the shooting and told him I've a bullet here in the gun for your son Aidan [6]
The Catholic Primate of All Ireland Cardinal Tomas Ó Fiaich and Dr. Mick Loftus, the President of the Gaelic Athletic Association, have both described McAnespie's death as murder.[5]
A song, Aidan McAnespie, dedicated to his memory, has been sung by soccer fans at Celtic Park, the home of Scottish club Celtic F.C..[11][12] The largest Gaelic football club in Boston, Massachusetts is named in his memory.[13]
In 2007, his brother Vincent, husband of the Monaghan Sinn Féin councillor Brenda McAnespie, was arrested, along with Gerry McGeough, in connection with terrorist offences and with the 1981 attempted murder of Sammy Brush, a former member of the Ulster Defence Regiment.[14]
[edit] References
- ^ Thornton, Chris. "Border posts next to go", Belfast Telegraph, Independent News and Media, 1998-09-30. Retrieved on 2007-09-29. (English)
- ^ Kelly, Ned. "Groundswell against GAA rule change", An Phoblacht, IRLNet/Sinn Féin, 1998-04-30. Retrieved on 2007-09-29. (English)
- ^ a b Bell, Robert; Robert Johnstone, Robin Wilson (1991). Troubled Times: Fortnight Magazine and the Troubles in Northern Ireland 1970 - 1991. Belfast: The Blackstaff Press, 210. ISBN 0-85640-462-4.
- ^ (April 1995) "Submission to The Forum for Peace and Reconciliation, Dublin Castle"., Dublin: The Forum for Peace and Reconciliation.
- ^ a b Mortas Cinnagh (HTML). Labor Comment Editorial. Athol Books (May 2004). Retrieved on 2007-09-29.
- ^ a b McKittrick, David (2007). Lost Lives: The Stories of the Men, Women and Children Who Died Through the Northern Ireland Troubles. Mainstream Publishing. ISBN 1-84018-504-1.
- ^ The Houses of the Oireachtas (1988-04-19). "Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Death of Aidan McAnespie". Dáil Éireann Parliamentary Debates 379.
- ^ MacDonncha, Michael. "Dublin/Monaghan and Ludlow inquiries must be public: Report of the Victims Commission", An Phoblacht, IRLNet/Sinn Féin, 1999-08-12. Retrieved on 2007-09-29. (English)
- ^ House of Commons (1989-07-20). "Oral Answers to Questions: Northern Ireland". Hansard (the Official Report) 502.
- ^ Murray, Raymond (1998). State Violence: Northern Ireland 1969-1997. Cork: Mercier Press. ISBN 1 85635 235 8.
- ^ Cunningham, Gerry. Aidan McAnespie Song Lyrics (HTML). Triskelle. Retrieved on 2007-09-29.
- ^ Smith, Kevin (2005-03-01). A look at BBC's programme, "Scotland's Secret Shame." (HTML). Mon the Hoops: Unofficial Fan Forum. Retrieved on 2007-09-29.
- ^ Aidan McAnespie G.F.C. Boston (HTML). Retrieved on 2007-09-29.
- ^ Brett, Sarah. "Dramatic arrest of pair over 1981 murder bid", Belfast Telegraph, Independent News and Media, 2007-03-09. Retrieved on 2007-09-29. (English)
