John Hermon
|
This article is part of SpinWatch's Northern Ireland Portal. |
Sir John Hermon (1928-2008)[1] was Chief Constable of the Royal Ulster Constabulary (RUC) from 1980 to 1989.[2]
Stalker Affair
Hermon's period in office was overshadowed by what became known as the "Shoot-to-Kill" or "Stalker Affair".[3]
The affair came about as a result of a number of killings by the RUC's Headquarters Mobile Support Unit in late 1982. On 11 November 1982, IRA members Eugene Toman, Sean Burns and Gervaise McKerr were shot dead at Tullgally East Road, near Lurgan. On 24 November, 17-year-old Michael Tighe was hot dead in a hay shed on Ballynerry Road North, Lurgan. He was not a member of any paramilitary organisation, although his companion, Martin McAuley, who was seriously wounded in the incident, was later charged. On 12 December 1982, two INLA members, Seamus Grew and Roddy Carroll were shot dead at Mullacreevie Park, Armagh.[4]
Hermon repeatedly clashed with John Stalker, the Deputy Chief Constable of Manchester, who was appointed to investigate the killings.[5]
Notes
- ↑ Owen Boycott, Obituary: Sir Hohn Hermon, The Guardian, 8 November 2008.
- ↑ Sir John Hermon, telegraph.co.uk, 20 March 2009.
- ↑ Owen Boycott, Obituary: Sir Hohn Hermon, The Guardian, 8 November 2008.
- ↑ Bill Rolston, Unfinished Business: State Killings and the Quest for Truth, beyond the Pale, 2000, p.87.
- ↑ Sir John Hermon, telegraph.co.uk, 20 March 2009.
