UK government challenges SAS inquest ruling on deadly Clonoe shooting

In February 1992, four armed members of the Irish Republican Army, namely Kevin Barry O'Donnell, Sean O'Farrell, Peter Clancy, and Patrick Vincent, were shot dead by Special Air Service (SAS) soldiers in Clonoe, Northern Ireland. This incident occurred shortly after the IRA men had launched a gun attack on Coalisland police station, firing approximately 60 shots without causing any injuries. The SAS soldiers, who had received intelligence about the likely use of a church car park by the IRA unit, claimed that their use of lethal force was necessary to protect their lives and those of their colleagues as the men approached in a hijacked lorry equipped with a heavy machine gun. However, a coroner known as Mr Justice Michael Humphreys ruled in a recent inquest that their actions were unjustified. He argued that the soldiers could have attempted to arrest the IRA men instead of resorting to lethal force, especially when the three wounded men were largely incapacitated after the encounter. This inquest ruling has sparked political backlash, particularly among unionist and Conservative representatives who have criticized the findings, raising concerns about the implications for military personnel involved in similar operations. Following the inquest, the coroner referred the case to the Director of Public Prosecutions, Stephen Herron, suggesting that an offense may have been committed. This referral could potentially lead to further investigative steps by the Independent Commission for Reconciliation and Information Recovery. In light of this controversy, Conservative MP James Cartlidge stated that the Ministry of Defence has decided to challenge the inquest ruling by initiating a judicial review application.