Northern Ireland

Appeal for witnesses to SAS ambush that killed three IRA men

Martin and Gerard Harte who were shot dead by the British army in 1988
Martin and Gerard Harte who were shot dead by the British army in 1988 Martin and Gerard Harte who were shot dead by the British army in 1988

A BROTHER of two IRA men killed during an SAS ambush have appealed for witnesses to come forward as the 30th anniversary of their deaths approaches.

Brothers Gerard and Martin Harte died along with Brian Mullin at Drumnakilly, between Carrickmore and Omagh, in August 1988.

The three IRA men were preparing to attack an off-duty UDR member when they were ambushed by the SAS.

It is understood he intended target was identified as the driver of a lorry used to ferry coal and fuel to a British army base in Omagh.

The ambush sparked claims that they were victims of a 'shoot-to-kill' policy.

Their deaths came less than two weeks after eight British soldiers were killed in an IRA bomb attack on their bus near Ballygawley.

The IRA men’s brother Nishey Harte believes they were deliberately lured to the area and has urged anyone with information about the incident to come forward.

“People might have seen something, heard something, some people might want to clear their conscience,” he said.

Pat Conway from Relatives for Justice, which is working with the Harte family, said some witnesses have already come forward.

Solicitor Peter Corrigan said any information provided will be treated with the “strictest of confidence”.