Uploaded April 2026 | Updated September 2026, 3 hours ago
McCrory, a 20-year-old from Strabane with learning difficulties, was abducted, interrogated, and shot dead on October 7th 1985. The ISU accused him of being a police informer and providing information that led to the British Army killing three IRA members—Charles Breslin and brothers Michael and David Devine—in February 1985
There is no evidence that McCrory was a police informer ("tout"), despite the IRA's claims at the time.
McCrory had learning difficulties and was unable to read or write, making him a "patsy" or scapegoat for actual informers within the IRA.
It is believed his "confession" was obtained under torture or the false promise of release.
Mistaken Allegations: The IRA wrongly accused him of providing information that led to the SAS killing of three IRA members in Strabane earlier that year.
McCrory, a 20-year-old from Strabane with learning difficulties, was abducted, interrogated, and shot dead on October 7th 1985. The ISU accused him of being a police informer and providing information that led to the British Army killing three IRA members—Charles Breslin and brothers Michael and David Devine—in February 1985
There is no evidence that McCrory was a police informer ("tout"), despite the IRA's claims at the time.
McCrory had learning difficulties and was unable to read or write, making him a "patsy" or scapegoat for actual informers within the IRA.
It is believed his "confession" was obtained under torture or the false promise of release.
Mistaken Allegations: The IRA wrongly accused him of providing information that led to the SAS killing of three IRA members in Strabane earlier that year.
