Seamus Grew (July 1951 – 12 December 1982) was a volunteer in the

Irish National Liberation Army The Irish National Liberation Army (INLA, ga, Arm Saoirse Náisiúnta na hÉireann) is an Irish republican socialist paramilitary group formed on 10 December 1974, during the 30-year period of conflict known as " the Troubles". The group seek ...

(INLA) who, along with Roddy Carroll, was killed in controversial circumstances by police officers from the Special Support Unit E4A of the

Royal Ulster Constabulary The Royal Ulster Constabulary (RUC) was the police force in Northern Ireland from 1922 to 2001. It was founded on 1 June 1922 as a successor to the Royal Irish Constabulary (RIC) Richard Doherty, ''The Thin Green Line – The History of the Roy ...

. It is alleged that this was part of an attempt to kill the INLA Chief of Staff

Dominic McGlinchey Dominic "Mad Dog" McGlinchey (1954 – 10 February 1994) was an Irish republican paramilitary leader, who moved from the Provisional IRA to become head of the Irish National Liberation Army (INLA) paramilitary group in the early 1980s. McGl ...

, although it is highly likely both men were the intended targets. Their deaths were subsequently investigated by John Stalker as part of his investigation into an apparent State shoot-to-kill policy in Northern Ireland. As of 2019, no inquest into his death has been completed. Indeed, in 1984 the first appointed Coroner Gerry Curran resigned due to "grave irregularities" in the case. Each subsequent attempt at commencing coronial proceedings has been met with apparent state delays and obstacles. Grew was born into a

Catholic The Catholic Church, also known as the Roman Catholic Church, is the List of Christian denominations by number of members, largest Christian church, with 1.3 billion baptized Catholics Catholic Church by country, worldwide . It is am ...

family in Armagh, known for its involvement with Civil Rights and

Irish republicanism Irish republicanism ( ga, poblachtánachas Éireannach) is the political movement for the unity and independence of Ireland under a republic. Irish republicans view British rule in any part of Ireland as inherently illegitimate. The develo ...

. He was married, with a family, and resided in the nationalist Mullacreevie Park area of the city. It is alleged that when he was killed, he was a Commander within his organisation, and was in charge of military operations for the Irish National Liberation Army in Northern Ireland. His brother

Desmond Desmond or Desmond's may refer to: Arts and entertainment * ''Desmond'' (novel), 1792 novel by Charlotte Turner Smith * '' Desmond's'', 1990s British television sitcom Ireland * Kingdom of Desmond, medieval Irish kingdom * Earl of Desmond, Iris ...

was killed by the

Special Air Service The Special Air Service (SAS) is a special forces unit of the British Army. It was founded as a regiment in 1941 by David Stirling and in 1950, it was reconstituted as a corps. The unit specialises in a number of roles including counter-ter ...

in 1990.McKittrick et al ''Lost Lives'' pg 930 At various times they have had associations with the Civil Rights Movement, the People's Democracy, Official IRA, Provisional IRA, Irish National Liberation Army, and the Irish Republican Socialist Party.

References

1951 births 1982 deaths Deaths by firearm in Northern Ireland Irish National Liberation Army members Irish republicans People killed by security forces during The Troubles (Northern Ireland) Year of birth uncertain {{Ireland-paramilitary-bio-stub