Inquiry into Garda 'IRA mole' claims

Allegations contained in Toby Harnden's book

A new investigation is being launched into claims that IRA moles in the Irish police force colluded in the murder of 12 people.

Irish Justice Minister, John O'Donoghue announced the investigation of the allegations - contained in a book by the Daily Telegraph's former Ireland Correspondent Toby Harnden - in the Irish Parliament on Thursday.

John O'Donoghue: "Understandable concern over allegations"

In Bandit Country, Harnden says that two Garda officers passed on information to the IRA.

He says the information aided the murders of Lord Justice Gibson and his wife, members of the Hanna family from Hillsborough, County Antrim, two Royal Ulster Constabulary superintendents, four RUC officers, and County Omeath farmer Tom Oliver between 1987 and 1995.

Mr O'Donoghue said the claims had previously been investigated with no tangible evidence, but that public confidence necessitated another inquiry.

"The allegations do raise issues of the utmost seriousness and their recent repetition in the media has caused understandable concern.

"I believe that even though there is no evidence to substantiate the allegations, every effort must be made to assure and reassure the public that they have been investigated."

Senior officer to lead inquiry

The Irish Opposition party Fine Gael said in the Dail that the allegations are that an uniformed officer and a plain clothes officer were IRA agents.

The party said one Garda was later moved to a quieter station away from the Northern Ireland border and has been living out a life of retirement on his pension.

Garda sources have told the BBC that Detective Chief Superintendent Sean Camion of the National Bureau of Criminal Investigations will re-examine all the files relating to the five cases and that he will also investigate all of the allegations relating to the cases.

The allegations were raised with Irish Prime Minister Bertie Ahern last month in a letter from Ulster Unionist leader David Trimble.

Mr Trimble has yet to receive a response.