New Inquest Ordered into 1991 Killing of County Tyrone man Ian Sproule

By Rebecca Black (PA)

A fresh inquest has been ordered into the killing of a man in Co Tyrone in 1991.

Ian Sproule, 23, was shot dead at his home on the outskirts of Castlederg, with the Provisional IRA suspected as being involved.

Attorney General Dame Brenda King has now ordered a new inquest into his death.

It is aimed to establish a meaningful account of the circumstances of the death and address rumour and suspicion surrounding the murder.

The South East Fermanagh Foundation (SEFF) – who support Mr Sproule’s family – have welcomed the decision.

They have described Mr Sproule as an innocent Protestant civilian who was targeted by the Provisional IRA close to the border of the Republic of Ireland.

They further claim that the terrorists “had been provided with a Garda sighting document containing Ian’s personal details and photograph”.

“No-one has ever been held accountable for this act of collusion between the Provisional IRA and a member of An Garda Siochana,” SEFF has said in a statement.

The Sproule family met with then Irish premier Micheal Martin in Dublin last July as part of their campaign.

SEFF has urged that the Irish Government work with the new inquest to help uncover answers around Mr Sproule’s killing.

“For 30-plus years, Ian’s surviving family have fought hard to advance justice, truth and accountability concerning his sectarian-motivated murder, the family have met a former taoiseach, foreign affairs ministers, secretaries of state and many others,” they said.

“Confirmation by AGNI that a new inquest has been ordered is welcomed by Ian’s family and must herald a new approach in how agencies in both jurisdictions of this island deal with their concerns and unresolved questions.

“The authorities in the Republic of Ireland (inclusive of An Garda Siochana) cannot repeat the mistakes made at the Kingsmill inquest. That disclosure process was protracted and piecemeal and where to this day AGS evidence provided to the Kingsmill Inquest remains secret and has never been published.

“Nothing short of full disclosure and full transparency will be acceptable in this case. There are stark questions requiring answered including around potential collaborators within AGS and their relationship with the Provisional IRA.”

23 year old Ian Sproule was shot dead at his home on the outskirts of Castlederg in 1991