Operation Kenova

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Operation Kenova is a criminal investigation into whether the Royal Ulster Constabulary in Northern Ireland failed to investigate as many as 18 murders in order to protect a high level double agent codenamed Stakeknife working for the Force Research Unit inside the Provisional Irish Republican Army.[1] The investigation is headed by Jon Boutcher, former Chief constable of Bedfordshire Police.[2]

Stakeknife led the IRA Internal Security Unit, known as the "nutting squad".[1] About 30 people were killed by the nutting squad while he was involved with it.[1] Senior British officers referred to Stakeknife as the "golden egg" due to the calibre of information he supplied.[1]

Research by Panorama suggested that Stakeknife was so highly prized that other agents were sacrificed to conceal his identity.[1] Panorama claimed that Joseph Fenton was executed by the IRA despite Stakeknife telling his handlers that Fenton was to be killed.[1] The authorities did nothing to prevent the murder.[1]

In July 2020 Jon Boutcher expressed concern with the British Government's idea to close most legacy investigations and provide full investigations into only a few.[2] He questioned whether the plan complied with the law.[2]

Investigators working in Operation Kenova announced that they had obtained new DNA evidence relating to the murder of Thomas Oliver.[3][4]

References[]

  1. ^ a b c d e f g Batchelor, Tom (11 April 2017). "Police 'failed to investigate 18 murders in Northern Ireland to protect IRA mole'". The Independent. Retrieved 19 July 2021.
  2. ^ a b c O'Neill, Julian (30 June 2020). "Jon Boutcher voices "extreme caution" over legacy idea". BBC News. Retrieved 19 July 2021.
  3. ^ Carroll, Rory (19 July 2021). "Police find new forensic evidence in case of farmer murdered by IRA". The Guardian. Retrieved 19 July 2021.
  4. ^ "Investigation into IRA murder of Tom Oliver uncovers new DNA evidence". TheJournal.ie. Press Association. 19 July 2021. Retrieved 19 July 2021.

External links[]

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