A long-awaited report on the investigation into the Army spy known as “Stakeknife”, who infiltrated the IRA during the Northern Ireland Troubles, is set to be released. The probe, which lasted seven years and cost £40 million, focused on Belfast man Freddie Scappaticci, who denied being the notorious agent.
Scappaticci, rumored to be Stakeknife, played a crucial role in the IRA’s internal security unit, tasked with identifying informers who were later executed. Despite his undercover work for the Army, he was implicated in numerous killings before the IRA became suspicious of him and disbanded his unit in 1990.
Operation Kenova, led by former chief constable Jon Boutcher, was launched in 2016 to investigate over 50 murders linked to Stakeknife and possible complicity by the Army and MI5. The independent inquiry involved 50 detectives from outside Northern Ireland to ensure transparency and objectivity.
The report, set to be released at 11:00 GMT, delves into Stakeknife’s involvement in 18 murders and examines the conduct of his handlers in the security forces. The investigation also looked into other Troubles cases, shedding light on the dark history of the conflict.
Despite the extensive investigation, no prosecutions have been made, as Scappaticci passed away in 2023. The evidence gathered by Operation Kenova, consisting of 60,000 pages, was deemed insufficient by the Public Prosecution Service to warrant charges against anyone involved in the crimes.
The report, while not providing a detailed account of individual incidents, addresses overarching themes and issues surrounding Stakeknife. It is intended to provide closure for victims’ families, who will receive personalized reports in the future.
The completion of the interim report marks a significant milestone in seeking justice and accountability for the atrocities committed during the Troubles, shedding light on a shadowy chapter in Northern Ireland’s history.