Around 20 former SAS personnel are being investigated for murder related to IRA shootings during the Troubles in Northern Ireland, following the UK Government’s repeal of the Legacy Act. Senior SAS officers are responding with Project Verity amid concerns over legal actions targeting veterans.
Around 20 former members of the British Special Air Service (SAS) who were involved in operations more than three decades ago during the Troubles in Northern Ireland are now facing murder charges, according to revelations made by The Mail on Sunday. These charges relate to incidents involving the shooting of IRA gunmen, specifically at locations in Coagh and Clonoe in 1991 and 1992.
The information has been disclosed in a letter circulated by the SAS Association to every British Army regiment, marking the initial phase of a concerted effort known as Project Verity. This initiative is being directed by senior SAS officers as a military-style response to what they perceive as a surge of legal actions instigated by nationalist activists aimed at veterans of the conflict.
The letter, which was obtained by The Mail on Sunday and National Security News, states: “We are about to see a surge of Northern Ireland cases instigated by nationalist activists and targeted at individual veterans. They are fundamentally designed to undermine the British State and its military forces and rewrite the history of the Troubles whilst persecuting ad infinitum scores, possibly hundreds, of former soldiers, decades on from their service.”
It highlights that about 20 former Special Forces personnel have been referred to the Director of Public Prosecutions for investigation with potential charges as serious as murder and conspiracy to murder. The letter also outlines that in most cases, the IRA members shot were heavily armed and died as a result of their own actions, often while being arrested during attempts to commit murder.
Three IRA members were killed by the SAS at Coagh, and four were killed at the Clonoe ambush. These events have become the focus of renewed legal scrutiny as the UK Government moves to repeal the Legacy Act. This legislation had previously banned inquests and offered conditional amnesty to those suspected of crimes related to the Troubles.
An ex-SAS officer, speaking to The Mail on Sunday, described the prospect of former regiment members standing trial for murder as “absurd,” particularly when noting that senior officials and politicians have been involved in the broader context of the Troubles.
The Ministry of Defence (MoD) commented: “We recognise the dedicated service and sacrifice of the Armed Forces who served in Northern Ireland during the Troubles and are committed to supporting veterans.” The MoD added, “There can be no rewriting of history. The approach taken by the previous government through the Legacy Act… has been found by the courts to be unlawful.”
The Government has emphasised its aim to establish legacy mechanisms that are “fair, lawful and proportionate,” amidst a complex legal and historical debate over how the past will be addressed. Meanwhile, SAS leaders are reportedly considering a “mass expression of outrage” involving the UK’s two million veterans in response to these developments.
Source: Noah Wire Services
Noah Fact Check Pro
The draft above was created using the information available at the time the story first
emerged. We’ve since applied our fact-checking process to the final narrative, based on the criteria listed
below. The results are intended to help you assess the credibility of the piece and highlight any areas that may
warrant further investigation.
Freshness check
Score:
9
Notes:
The narrative references recent developments and legal changes, specifically the UK Government’s move to repeal the Legacy Act, which suggests it is current. However, the events described occurred decades ago, making some historical context stale.
Quotes check
Score:
8
Notes:
While there are no direct quotes with verifiable online sources, they are attributed to an ex-SAS officer and the Ministry of Defence. The lack of specific documentation online does not necessarily indicate a lack of originality but does mean these cannot be confirmed.
Source reliability
Score:
8
Notes:
The narrative originates from The Daily Mail on Sunday and National Security News. While not as highly ranked as major international outlets like the BBC or Financial Times, these sources are well-known and generally considered reliable.
Plausability check
Score:
9
Notes:
The claims are plausible given the ongoing legal and historical debates surrounding the Troubles in Northern Ireland and the recent changes in legislation. There is a context that supports the plausibility of legal actions against veterans.
Overall assessment
Verdict (FAIL, OPEN, PASS): PASS
Confidence (LOW, MEDIUM, HIGH): HIGH
Summary:
The information is largely current and plausible, with reliable sources supporting the claims. The narrative aligns with current legal and political developments in Northern Ireland.
