THE Irish government has again refused to release a report into the British army killing of Aidan McAnespie, as family members gathered yesterday to mark the 30th anniversary of his death.
The 23-year-old was shot dead after passing through a military checkpoint at the border in Aughnacloy, Co Tyrone as he made his way to Aghaloo GAA grounds on February 21 1988.
Relatives and friends re-traced the route he took in his final minutes yesterday as they made their way to a vigil held at the spot and time he was killed.
They were joined by Tyrone GAA county board chairman Michael Kerr and former chairman Tony McKenna for a short ceremony.
The chairman of Aidan McAnespie GFC, which is based in Boston, was also present along with a representative from Relatives for Justice.
Former Sinn Féin MP Barry McElduff was also in attendance in one of his first public appearances since he resigned his seat last month.
During the vigil, where family members included Mr McAnespie's elderly father John, a decade of the Rosary was said by his brother Sean while flowers were laid at a roadside memorial by his sister Margo.
After Mr McAnespie’s death the Irish government appointed then Garda commissioner Eugene Crowley to carry out an inquiry.
The findings were presented to then justice minister Gerry Collins in April 1988 but have never been made public.
High-profile GAA figures including the association's director general Páraic Duffy, former president Peter Quinn and All-Ireland winner Peter Canavan have recently called on the Irish government to release the withheld report.
However, the McAnespie family's campaign was dealt another blow yesterday when the Dublin administration again refused to hand over the report.
In a statement to the Seanad, justice minister Charlie Flanagan said many who gave evidence to Mr Crowley did so on the basis of “an assurance of absolute confidentiality”.
Later, in the Dail, Sinn Féin’s Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin asked if he was willing to contact witnesses to establish if they will allow the “release of their evidence”.
Mr Flanagan said he would “reflect on what options might be viable to further assist the McAnespie family in these circumstances”.
He also agreed to meet the McAnespie family after the matter was raised in the Seanad by Fianna Fáil Senator Robbie Gallagher.
Relatives have recently called on anyone who gave evidence to Mr Crowley and is willing to have their name released to contact them.
They say that people they have spoken to were not aware that when they gave information that it was “confidential or anonymous”.
Mr McAnespie's brother Sean last night said: “We will continue to campaign to have the Crowley Report released.”
Manslaughter charges brought against the soldier who fired the fatal shot, Grenadier Guardsman David Jonathan Holden, were dropped.
He was later fined for negligent discharge of his weapon and allowed to return to duty before being given a medical discharge in 1990.
