Diarmuid O'Neill
Diarmuid O'Neill (also known as Dermot O'Neill) (born 24 June 1969 in Hammersmith, London, England – 23 September 1996), was a volunteer in the Provisional Irish Republican Army (IRA). O'Neill was killed in London in 1996 during a police raid on the hotel where he and two other IRA volunteers were staying. Due to the circumstances surrounding the killing, Amnesty International has called for a review of the police investigation into the killing of O'Neill.[1] O'Neill was the only IRA member to be killed by police in Great Britain.[2][3]
Background
O'Neill was born and raised in London, the youngest son of Irish parents, Eoghan and Theresa "Terry" O'Neill who were originally from
Soon after leaving school, O'Neill served nine months in a
Death
O'Neill was shot and killed by
Surveillance operation
In the six weeks leading up to the shooting of O'Neill, the
The surveillance operation resulted in extensive video footage that reportedly covered the whole six weeks except the night of the raid on the hotel itself. These surveillance tapes suggested O'Neill's unit was planning to detonate a large lorry bomb in central London, and that the IRA men were ready to shoot to kill if the police tried to raid them.[9]
Hotel raid
At 4.30 am, on 23 September, the Metropolitan Police conducted a raid on the hotel with the expressed intention of arresting all three. O'Neill was shot six times by a police officer who was only identified as "Officer Kilo".
After the raid, media reports claimed that there had been armed violent resistance during the raid. However these stories were denied and withdrawn when it became clear that O'Neill was not carrying a weapon at the time of the shooting.
Criminal Investigation Bureau
The Criminal Investigation Bureau of the Metropolitan Police, supervised by the Police Complaints Authority, subsequently conducted an investigation into the incident. The investigation took almost two years and produced a report in 1999 which stated that there was not enough evidence to prosecute the police officers involved in the killing.[1]
Inquest
In February 2000, an inquest was held into O'Neill's death. The jury at
O'Neill was buried at St. Mologas' Cemetery, Timoleague, County Cork, Ireland.[7]
Legacy
Every year since his death Sinn Féin has organised a commemoration in his memory and is attended by relatives.[4] Musician Gary Og wrote a song about him titled 'Diarmuid O'Neill'.[14]
References
- ^ a b c d e "The Disputed Killing of Diarmuid O'Neill". Amnesty International. 1 January 2000. Archived from the original on 19 November 2006. Retrieved 25 January 2007.
- ^ a b "IRA man killed as police foil bomb attacks". Archived from the original on 14 November 2002. Retrieved 14 November 2002.
- ^ Lessons of history
- ^ a b "IRA Volunteer Diarmuid O'Neill to be remembered on 20th anniversary". An Phoblacht. 31 August 2016.
- ^ Toby Harnden (25 September 1996). "Irish roots drew him to rebel cause". The Daily Telegraph. Archived from the original on 14 November 2002. Retrieved 25 January 2007.
- ^ "IRA suspect killed in raid went to school in London". Archived from the original on 12 November 2002. Retrieved 12 November 2002.
- ^ ISBN 0-9542946-0-2p.365
- ^ Michael Streeter (17 December 1997). "IRA Bomb Plot: The London schoolboy who turned Republican terrorist". The Independent. Retrieved 26 December 2021.
- ^ IRA man lawfully killed says inquest The Independent 19 February 2000
- ^ Secret police tape throws O'Neill verdict into doubt Archived 30 May 2004 at the Wayback Machine
- ^ a b CAIN – A Chronology of the Conflict – 1996
- ^ Hansard – Policing (Human Rights)
- The News Letter19 February 2000
- YouTube