Northern Ireland

Mickey Harte backs calls for report into Aidan McAnespie's killing to be made public

Aidan McAnespie was killed when shots were fired from a British Army sangar near the Co Tyrone village of Aughnacloy in 1988 as he made his made to a GAA game.
Aidan McAnespie was killed when shots were fired from a British Army sangar near the Co Tyrone village of Aughnacloy in 1988 as he made his made to a GAA game. Aidan McAnespie was killed when shots were fired from a British Army sangar near the Co Tyrone village of Aughnacloy in 1988 as he made his made to a GAA game.

TYRONE GAA manager Mickey Harte has backed calls for the release of a report into the British army killing of Aidan McAnespie as he made his way to a match more than 30 years ago.

The 23-year-old was shot dead close to a checkpoint on the border at Aughnacloy in Co Tyrone in February 1988 while going to Aghaloo GAC's grounds.

The Crowley Report was compiled after the Irish government appointed then Garda deputy commissioner Eugene Crowley to investigate the McAnespie killing.

The findings have never been made public or released to the McAnespie family.

At the weekend, the GAA held its annual Congress at which delegates unanimously endorsed the family's request that the report should be released.

Tyrone manager Mickey Harte has backed calls for the unpublished report in Aidan McAnespie's killing to be released
Tyrone manager Mickey Harte has backed calls for the unpublished report in Aidan McAnespie's killing to be released Tyrone manager Mickey Harte has backed calls for the unpublished report in Aidan McAnespie's killing to be released

Speaking to the Irish News on Saturday following his side's win over Monaghan, Mr Harte acknowledged the lengthy delays Mr McAnespie's loved ones have experienced in their pursuit for justice.

"They've been fighting for a long time and I think anywhere they can get support...then I think it is fair they should have that," he said.

Pressure has been mounting on the GAA to give its official support to the family, with critics pointing to the time lag in the organisation speaking publicly about the unpublished findings.

When asked about these concerns, the Tyrone manager said: "Well, it's not for me to talk about what the GAA, as an organisation or a headquarters, might do.

"I think whatever they do they will have thought long and hard and made their decision. And maybe there is a time for these things to be done; maybe some believe it should have been done earlier but it's never the same people making these decisions, there are always changes in personnel.

"I suppose it has to be the right people in the right place at the right time to make the decision."

Last June, the Public Prosecution Service (PPS) announced it intended to prosecute the former soldier who shot Mr McAnespie.