The Truth Commissioner Page #5

But we have a right to know, to

have his body back where he belongs.

Thank you, Miss Roche.

The commission calls James Fenton.

Please state your name and

your connection with the case.

James Fenton, Detective Inspector.

Special Branch, RUC.

Retired.

When did you first encounter Connor Roche?

I can't remember the exact date,

but towards the end of January 1992.

Connor was suspected of

involvement in petty crime,

making a nuisance of himself.

So we picked him up.

He denied any wrongdoing.

We had no evidence, so we...

We gave him a word of warning

and sent him on his way.

And when did you hear he was missing?

May 13th.

His mother came to the station.

No trace of Connor was found.

Sometime later, we learned that

he had been abducted by the IRA.

And do you know the identity

of those who abducted Connor?

No.

Is there anything further you

might be able to add, Mr. Fenton?

I'd like you to think

carefully before you answer.

I'm afraid not, no.

A moment, Mr. Fenton.

I think Miss Roche has some questions.

I want to play a recording

relevant to the case.

We had no prior knowledge of this.

Miss Roche...

is this recording of legitimate

concern to this hearing?

It is.

It was given to me by someone

involved in Connor's abduction.

Proceed.

My mother has identified

this as Connor's voice.

TAPE:
Name?

Connor Roche.

If you ever want to

see your mother again,

you're going to tell me who, when,

where, how often and why.

Am I clear?

Why did you do it?

They said they'd get me shot

if I didn't tight for them.

How often did you meet them?

Twice a week.

What were their names?

Inspector Fenton.

And DS Briggs.

Where did you meet them?

They'd pick me up in

Belfast and we'd drive.

And?

If I didn't give them information,

they said they'd drop me

where people would be waiting

to give me a head job.

Did they pay you?

TEARFULLY:
I didn't do it for money.

What did you do it for?

(SOBBING ON TAPE)

Cos I was scared.

They kept saying what would

happen if I didn't help them.

I didn't do it for money.

I'm telling the truth.

Can I go home now?

(SNIFFLING ON TAPE)

Can I go home now?!

Mr. Fenton, isn't it true that

Connor was working for you?

I didn't say any of those things to Connor.

Is it true that Connor

was working for the police?

We needed information to protect lives.

So you used Connor to

gather that information?

We met him from time to time, in

the same way we met many people.

How many times did you meet him?

Perhaps half a dozen.

I can't remember exactly.

And you paid him?

Small amounts.

Not very much.

So what are we talking about?

Five or ten pounds? More?

I think it was mostly about 10.

He just wanted to talk as much as anything.

We were like...

...friends.

Connor said he was forced

to supply information.

No-one threatened him or said

that he was going to be shot.

So why do think he said those things?

He was frightened.

He was just telling them

what they wanted to hear.

Mr. Fenton, you were aware of Connor's age?

Look, I don't think you understand

what we were having to deal with.

- I understand that you were dealing with a child.

- Miss Roche...

Please let Mr. Fenton

finish what he was saying.

If you weren't there, if you

hadn't lived through it...

you can't understand what it was like.

Things were falling apart.

When you reported for duty,

you never knew what you

might be having to deal with.

Police officers were handed

caseloads of 200, 250 murders.

Working on them for a couple of months

before they themselves were

murdered. We were in a war.

Things happened that...

...that shouldn't happen.

I want to say that I regret...

...deeply what happened.

I'm very sorry.

Thank you for that.

But you were aware of the fate of

so-called informers, weren't you?

Yes.

Did he supply you with any

information you considered useful?

No.

So a boy lost his life

supplying meaningless information

in exchange for petty cash?

No further questions.

I didn't kill Connor.

I'm not the person who killed him.

Thank you, Mr. Fenton.

There will be a five minute recess.

Did you know about the recording?

Yes, I did.

Why didn't you say?

Honestly?

Because I couldn't be

sure who you might tell.

(MAN RETCHING AND COUGHING)

(TOILET FLUSHES)

TANNOY:
Michael Madden to the

Commission Chamber, please.

It wasn't your fault.

That's what happens when you

don't stick to the script.

We've had enough surprises for one day,

so just keep it nice and simple.

The commission calls Michael Madden.

Would you please state your name

and your connection to the case?

My name's Michael Madden.

Mr. Madden?

My name is Michael Madden.

I joined the IRA when I was 17.

Made me feel big.

But I wasn't big. I was an idiot.

A message boy.

In May 1992...

I drove Connor and two volunteers

to a farm across the border,

in County Monaghan.

Connor was dragged into the

house and tied to a chair.

And one of the men began to beat him.

Badly.

(HE GASPS)

(HE SOBS)

Phone calls were made to Belfast.

It was decided that we'd make a

tape of him admitting what he'd done.

He was told after he'd made the

tape he'd make a press statement.

And then it would all be over.

A couple of hours later,

another man arrived from Belfast.

When he saw the state that Connor was in,

there was a real bust-up

with the interrogator,

who was shouting we

were all soft in Belfast

and too interested in looking

good to get our hands dirty.

Connor was to be kept for a couple of days

until he mended up and could go

back for the press conference.

But some time around dawn,

he escaped.

The commander was

screaming at us to find him.

I was supposed to be keeping watch

so I panicked.

I ran into the woods.

But Connor jumped me.

He was wild.

Kicking and punching.

He was strong.

He got on top of me.

Pinning me down.

But then...

...there was a shot.

Connor stopped struggling.

He collapsed on top of me.

There was arguing about what had happened.

It wasn't meant to happen.

The two senior men were standing there...

...and one had a gun.

Michael...

tell us now who killed Connor.

Francis Gilroy killed Connor.

Please remain calm.

Order, please.

Order in the chamber.

Order!

Call Francis Gilroy.

(HE MOUTHS)

The commission calls Francis Gilroy.

(PHONE RINGS)

Anna, how did it go?

Right.

He actually named Francis?

I'll call you back.

Frankie!

(REPORTERS CLAMOUR)

Listen carefully.

You've got to get out of the

house. Get Alan to take you...

No, stop. We're not in the house,

Dad. We're at the hospital.

- The baby came early.

- What?

- I've had the baby.

- Where are you?

The Ulster Hospital.

That's good. That's very

good. Don't move from there.

Relax, Dad. I'm not moving.

OK. OK. I'll be right with you.

You didn't shoot him?

But you did order his abduction?

And you know who did shoot him?

But you won't say who.

Well, whoever pulled the

trigger, Roche had it coming.

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