Family tribute 40 years after murder

Gardaí renew appeal for information.

The family of murdered electrical contractor Terence McKeever has marked the 40th anniversary of his killing by remembering a “wonderful young man” whose death left “an emptiness and a searing pain of loss and injustice”.

Mr McKeever, who was 30 years old and from Ballsbridge, Dublin, was abducted and murdered on June 16, 1986, after setting out on a journey north towards Armagh driving his champagne-coloured BMW 735i, registration FIB 735. His remains were later found close to Mullaghduff Bridge, Cullyhanna, on the Monaghan-South Armagh border.

Sadness

In a statement issued at the weekend, ahead of the anniversary, his sister Karen McKeever said the passing of four decades had not diminished the family’s grief.

“I have found this year particularly difficult, 40 years without Terence; my only sibling, the person I most looked up to in life and all that has been left behind is an emptiness and a searing pain of loss and injustice,” she said.

Ms McKeever described her brother as a person who was deeply committed to his work, ambitious and successful, while remaining humble and connected to others.

“His humility very much remained intact. He was a genuine people’s person.”

Karen McKeever refused to allow those responsible for his murder to define her life.

“I choose not to allow terrorism to define my life, they have stolen away too much already; my beautiful brother, and my Mummy and Daddy also died premature deaths, the light extinguished within both of them that horrible day.”

Legacy

Ms McKeever said her brother’s legacy lived on through the business he helped build. McKeever Bros became one of Ireland and the UK’s largest electrical contracting companies, employing more than 200 electricians.

The Provisional IRA claimed responsibility for Mr McKeever’s murder, citing his company’s work on security installations as a reason for targeting him.

Karen McKeever rejecs this as “a flagrant lie”.

She believes her brother was targeted because the family business had become a major contractor along the border corridor and had refused to submit to intimidation.

“My brother was murdered for reasons of economic terrorism, he stood in the way of a financial funnel for the Provisional IRA,” she states.

She concluded by describing her brother as “a proud and true Irishman” who believed in bringing people together regardless of background.

Kenny Donaldson, Director of the South East Fermanagh Foundation (SEFF), said the McKeever family had shown “immense courage and dignity” in seeking truth and accountability.

“Today and each day going forward we will strive to support the surviving family as best we can,” Mr Donaldson said.

Garda appeal

On the 40th anniversary of the murder, Gardaí have renewed their appeal for information and are asking anyone who may have relevant information to come forward.

It is believed Mr McKeever travelled north along the N2 towards Monaghan before being abducted in the Monaghan/South Armagh border area. His intended route would have taken him through Slane, Ardee, Monaghan and onward towards Armagh town.

His remains were later discovered close to Mullaghduff Bridge, approximately 25 metres inside Northern Ireland, where Gardaí believe he was shot, his hands tied behind his back.

His BMW was recovered the following day, June 17, in Carnagh, Armagh.

On June 18, a blue Toyota Liteace van with stolen registration plates UZY 125 was found abandoned off the N52 at Mapastown, Ardee, Louth. Gardaí believe this vehicle was used in the abduction and murder. The van had been stolen in Dundalk on May 21.

Investigating gardaí are appealing to anyone who may have information, including people who may not have come forward previously or who may now be able to provide additional details.

Anyone with information can contact Ardee Garda Station on 041 685 3222, the Garda Confidential Line on 1800 666 111, or any Garda station.

Questions

It has emerged since that the weapon, a .223 calibre AR-15 Armalite, was the same at that used by the Provisional IRA in the ambush of RUC Chief Supt Harry Breen and Supt Bob Buchanan, whose murders were the subject of the Smithwick Tribunal, and in several other murders, including the Kingsmills massacre.

Further questions remain over aspects of the investigation, including the handling of forensic material recovered from the abandoned Toyota van.

A later examination by the Garda Síochána Ombudsman Commission found that a number of exhibits taken from the vehicle could not be accounted for, despite inquiries involving more than 80 gardaí.