UTV can exclusively reveal that the government is poised to open mediation talks with the families of those murdered and maimed by the Army agent, code-named Stakeknife.
Republican Freddie Scappaticci died still denying that he was the mole, despite it being widely accepted that he was.
The offer by the government was revealed for the first time during a court hearing, in the latest stage of a class action by families seeking compensation.
It not only relates to Stakeknife but other informants too, who also operated within the IRA’s Internal Security Unit at the time.
The judge said he hoped that most, if not all the cases could be resolved.
”I completely understand victims and families who may have cynicism when they think about this. But it is a breakthrough, it is welcomed by us, the families will approach it will good faith and an open mind,” said Setanta Marley, who represents some of the families.
Some cases have yet to reach court – the government has been urged to deal with them all.
”We see no reasons why there should be any delay in including all the families,” said colleague Kevin Winters.
Scappaticci was a key player in the republican movement in the 1980s – heading up the IRA’s internal security unit.
It was nicknamed the nutting squad because of its brutality – suspected informers were abducted, tortured, murdered and their bodies dumped on the roadside as a warning to others.
An independent investigation linked Stakeknife to 14 killings and 15 abductions.
Operation Kenova said the security forces failed to prevent killings to protect their golden asset and other informants in the IRA.
The government has always refused to comment on the identity of the agent using its ‘neither confirm nor deny’ policy.
Many believe this latest development in the Stakeknife affair is hugely significant.
Moira Todd’s brother Eugene Simons was abducted by the IRA in 1981.
His remains were found by chance – in a bog three years later.
“Eugene was one of the first victim’s of Stakeknife. If they (the State) had taken it in hand, then much suffering – and life would have been saved.”
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