Brian McDermott (murder victim)
Brian McDermott was a schoolboy who disappeared in Belfast in 1973. He was last seen at Ormeau Park on September 2, 1973.[1] He failed to return to his home on Well Street in the lower Woodstock Road area of Cregagh, Belfast.[1] A week after he went missing, the River Lagan was lowered and a sack containing some of his remains was found.[1]
Kincora Boys Home
In 1982 a possible link between the death of Brian McDermott and the abuse scandal at Kincora Boys' Home was discussed by Jim Prior , Michael Havers, senior civil servant Sir William Bourne and then Secretary of State for Northern Ireland and then Lord Chancellor Quintin Hogg.[2][3] Papers concerning this meeting were released in 2013.[2][3]
Brother investigated
Brian's brother William was 16 at the time of his disappearance and he was considered a suspect and questioned in 1976 and again in 2004.[4] William denies the allegations and is estranged from the rest of his family.[4] He admits confessing in 1976, but says that the confession was coerced.[4] He changed his name by deed poll to avoid the stigma of being a suspect in his brother's murder.[4]
References
- 1 2 3 McMahon, Victoria (30 January 2008). "Police to send team to re-investigate horrific murder after 'confession'". Belfast Telegraph.
- 1 2 McCann, Eamonn (17 July 2014). "Victims of abuse in North still waiting for justice". The Irish Times.
- 1 2 "NI state papers: Kincora link to Brian McDermott murder discussed". BBC News. 27 December 2013.
- 1 2 3 4 Magee, Kevin (26 September 1013). "Man denies killing brother in Belfast 40 years ago". BBC News Northern Ireland.