Coagh Inquest Vincent McKenna
THE MATTER OF THE INQUEST
TOUCHING UPON THE DEATHS OF ANTHONY
DORIS, MICHAEL RYAN AND
LAURENCE MCNALLY ON 3 RD JUNE 1991 BEFORE
THE CORONER MR HUMPHREYS
WITNESS STATEMENT OF VINCENT
MCKENNA given under Oath 30 June, 2023.
I have been asked by the coroner to give a statement in respect of the inquest into the deaths of Anthony Doris, Michael Ryan and Laurence McNally on 3rd June 1991.
I, Vincent McKenna, of an
address known to the coroner, will say as follows:
In June 1991 I would have been
a member of the Provisional IRA and Sinn Fein in Monaghan Town. Anthony Doris,
Michael ‘Pete’ Ryan and Laurence McNally were at that time members of a
Provisional IRA active service unit operating from Monaghan Town.
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I am originally from
Aughnacloy and in 1980 when I was 16 I moved to live in Monaghan Town. Several
members of my extended family were members of the IRA and my cousin, Kevin
McKenna, was the IRA’s Chief of Staff. When we moved to Monaghan Town, I became
a member of the IRA and Sinn Fein. I was sworn in by my cousin, Kevin. I
believe due to my family connections; I was never operational and my role was
to gather intelligence for the IRA.
I would have known all three
of the deceased. I would have been very friendly with Laurence McNally. We
would have trained and completed marathons together. I first met Pete Ryan in
1981 in a pub in Monaghan shortly after he had escaped from Crumlin Road jail.
After escaping from jail, he became part of the ASU in Monaghan and he became
the CO of the unit after the death of Jim Lynagh in 1987. I knew off Tony Doris
who was from around Omagh and had been recruited by Brendan Doris. Whilst I had
been in his company, he was the one I knew the least.
Pete Ryan, Laurence McNally
and Tony Doris were all members of the ASU based in Monaghan. The ASU from
Monaghan operated like the flying columns of the 1920’s striking a target and
then disappearing back into the local area. All three men were active members
of the ASU taking part in numerous attacks. I would describe them as being psychopaths
as they seemed to have no conscience about killing. In my experience of the IRA
this was common place as I had seen men I would regard as conservative Catholics
give orders to take life without a second thought.
During the time I was a member
of the IRA I provided information to the Garda Special Branch based in
Monaghan. My experiences in the IRA made me want to help to stop their campaign
and for this reason I provided information.
In the mid 1980’s Jim Lynagh
would have been the commanding officer for the Monaghan ASU. I would describe
him as an intelligent and driven commander. The ASU in Monaghan Town would have
been militant and hard-line with no interest in the peace process. Around this
time Lynagh took direct control for the strategic command of his unit moving
away from the direction of older leaders in the area like Brendan McKenna and
JB O’Hagan. Lynagh’s unit during the 1980’s was responsible for many murders and
attacks on the security forces and civilians.
After Jim Lynagh’s death in
Loughgall the ASU in Monaghan became very paranoid about security. At that time,
I was the foreman at Clonkeen Mushrooms based at the crossing at Middleton on
the Monaghan/Armagh border. Laurence McNally and several other IRA men lived
near to the mushroom farm. Since I was the foreman, I was able to secure the
farm and IRA members could access the farm unseen by foot so it became a
regular location for meetings.
In my intelligence role I
would have been involved in these meetings. Whilst I was not aware of the
details of the operation in Coagh, I knew at that time an operation was to take
place. I was aware that Laurence McNally’s wife was to drive Laurence McNally
and Pete Ryan to meet Tony Doris as part of the operation. I am 100% positive this
happened. After Loughgall people were reluctant to put themselves forward for operations
and this is why McNally’s wife had to drive them to meet Tony Doris. That is
all I can recall of the details of the operation in Coagh.
Statement of Truth
I believe that the facts
stated in this statement are true.
Signed: Vincent McKenna
Dated……2nd October
2022
