The snarling 6ft-plus former RUC officer Laurence McClure — once caught on camera punching a Crime World reporter — is set to enjoy his best-ever New Year, having been informed he will never stand trial for any of his alleged crimes.
The Glenanne Gang – A Ruthless Murder Machine
As detailed in the recently published Kenova Report, the Glenanne Gang was a lethal collaboration of serving police officers, soldiers and Mid-Ulster UVF members. Operating from a farm near Markethill, South Armagh, the group was responsible for at least 127 murders in the mid-1970s.
19 Years Since We First Named McClure
It has now been 19 years since the Sundat World first identified Laurence McClure as part of the assassination squad that gunned down the Reavey brothers as they sat watching television in their family home.
The 50th anniversary of the triple murder falls next week. Until very recently, it had been expected McClure would appear in court in connection with the killings of John Martin (24), Brian (22) and Anthony (17) Reavey.
Eugene Reavey: “Still No Justice After 50 Years”
Last week, surviving brother Eugene Reavey expressed his bitter disappointment that none of the Glenanne Gang killers will ever see the inside of a courtroom.
Eugene continued:
Here, Eugene Reavey is seen walking past his brothers’ graves in South Armagh on Christmas Day — a solemn ritual of remembrance for three young lives stolen by loyalist gunmen:
The Night of Horror: January 4, 1976
The Reavey brothers were watching Celebrity Squares when gunmen burst in. John Martin and Brian were killed instantly. Anthony, though badly wounded, crawled to a neighbour’s house for help but died in hospital days later.
The attack triggered a horrific 24-hour period of slaughter. Just 20 minutes later, three members of the O’Dowd family were murdered by a UVF team led by serial killer Robin Jackson. The following evening, the IRA killed 10 innocent Protestant workers at Kingsmill, less than a mile away.
Laurence McClure – Violent Past and Present
McClure lives in a large detached house in Cladymilltown, South Armagh — close to the former farm of Jim Mitchell, the RUC man whose property served as the gang’s operational base. Robin Jackson, a loyalist mass murderer and alleged security force asset, was a frequent visitor there.
Local sources say McClure fell under the influence of Rev Ian Paisley as a young man, attended Markethill Secondary School, worked as a mechanic and was encouraged by Mitchell to join the RUC Reserve.
“Jim Mitchell was a psychopath,” said one source. “His farm became a base for loyalist violence. But McClure is extremely relieved not to be going to court.”
Double Bombing – December 19, 1975
Two weeks before the Reavey murders, McClure took part in coordinated attacks:
- Tea-time bomb at Kay’s Tavern, Dundalk — 3 dead, 20 injured
- Hours later, gun and bomb attack at Donnelly’s Bar, Silverbridge — 3 dead, 3 seriously injured
McClure and Lily Shields (posing as a couple) admitted limited involvement under caution. Charges were later dropped.
Here is a police photograph taken after the loyalist attack on the Reavey home — Christmas cards and holly amid the blood:
The Failed Rock Bar Bombing – June 5, 1976
McClure led an attempt to bomb the Catholic-owned Rock Bar near Keady — six months to the day after Kingsmill. The gang (McClure, Billy McCaughey, David Wilson, Ian Mitchell) wore boiler suits over RUC uniforms and loaded a bomb built by McClure into a yellow Mini.
When disturbed by customer Mick McGrath, McClure ordered McCaughey to shoot him. McGrath survived by hiding under a car. The bomb was placed outside, but only the detonator exploded. Later that night, one of the bombers (Constable Ian Mitchell) returned to take witness statements.
McClure was convicted of possession of explosives and firearms with intent — receiving a suspended sentence. McCaughey got seven years on top of a life sentence for another murder.
McClure’s Violent Reaction to Questions
When confronted by Crime World reporters about his double life and role in the Glenanne Gang, McClure downplayed his involvement, claiming bombs were only meant to frighten people. He denied any part in the Reavey murders but admitted being a suspect.
On one occasion, when pressed about past lies, he flew into a rage and assaulted the reporter — unaware the attack was captured on camera.
Conclusion
The British government’s legacy decision means Laurence McClure and his Glenanne Gang associates will never face trial. For the Reavey family, after nearly 50 years of campaigning, the pain remains raw and justice feels further away than ever.
As Eugene Reavey said: “I honestly believed that this would all have been wound up before the 50th anniversary arrived, but it didn’t work out like that.”
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