Seamus Kearney, who has been seeking justice for his deceased brother for four decades, has finally found some closure. Just prior to a probe into the actions of the British Army’s top undercover agent for the IRA during the Troubles, Kearney was shown details of his brother Michael’s final moment, who was tragically executed by the IRA on suspicion of being a mole in 1979. A notable point for Kearney was learning, as he had suspected, that Michael’s life was meant to have been safeguarded.
An investigation team from Operation Kenova confirmed to Kearney, his attorney and Sean, Michael’s twin brother, that Michael could have been rescued and it was a failure by the security personnel. Kearney expressed his grievance at the harsh demise of his young 20-year-old brother, who was an apprentice electrician. His kidnapping and death are thought to be the first of its kind tied to Stakeknife, the double agent who managed the IRA’s infamous Internal Security Unit, also known as the “nutting squad”.
Kearney had been working with Operation Kenova over the past six years to gather all missing information, following a lifetime of pursuit for retribution. The team provided Kearney with unheard details of Michael’s death, letting him know that ultimately, his younger brother died immediately and did not weep before being shot, which holds a strange significance to Kearney.
During the Troubles, Michael had taken the path of an IRA member at the same time when his brother Seamus – an ex-IRA member – was in prison. After his release in 1986, their mother had asked Seamus to confirm whether Michael did indeed divulge insider information. Michael Kearney’s reputation was restored in 2003 after an internal IRA investigation confirmed he was not a traitor. This assurance, coupled with this newfound knowledge from the investigation, has given Seamus Kearney a sense of closure.
Though he was blameless, it was impossible for him to evade the aftermath of Scappaticci’s questioning. Michael’s existence could have been preserved, he had a chance at a normal life, even a family; he was full of potential. His decision to join the IRA was out of a desire to assist me.
Subsequent to this, the Kenova team released disconcerting details regarding the British Army’s management of intelligence concerning his sibling, which Seamus Kearney termed as alarming. Despite this, he is still proceeding with a legal case he initiated the previous year. Yet, he declares that he harbours no resentment towards the security authorities.
He admits, closure exists and he finally found it this past week. His sibling, Sean, echoed the same sentiment. Having received this comforting news, he immediately notified his daughter in Australia. On hearing the news that they had finally achieved closure, she was ecstatic.
Once the judgement from their 206-page document was made public, the pair had a quick rendezvous before Seamus set off for an evening to himself.
Seamus and Sean’s satisfaction after the settlement of their case was palpable. “An incredibly positive result you’ve obtained there.” Sean’s wife commented. A sentiment with which Seamus agreed, telling her she was correct before setting off on his journey.
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