Mr John Downey was not merely someone whom Sinn Féin defended from a distance. He was publicly described by the party’s own newspaper as a “popular Donegal Sinn Féin member,” while senior party figures repeatedly campaigned on his behalf.
In December 2019, the High Court found, on the civil standard of proof, that Mr Downey was an “active participant” in the IRA’s 1982 Hyde Park bombing. The attack killed four Household Cavalry soldiers: Lieutenant Anthony Daly, Squadron Quartermaster Corporal Roy Bright, Lance Corporal Jeffrey Young and Trooper Simon Tipper. Thirty-one other people were injured and seven horses were killed. Downey denied involvement.
Also linked to this atrocity was the late Tipperary-born Fr Patrick “Paddy” Ryan, who admitted to BBC investigative journalist Jennifer O’Leary that he “had a hand in the Hyde Park bomb.” Ryan, who assisted the Provisional IRA by sourcing funds, weapons and bomb components, was not accused of planting or detonating the device and was never convicted in connection with the attack; nevertheless, his own admission and the evidence concerning the electronic component he procured establish his involvement in supporting the operation.
Mr Downey’s earlier criminal prosecution collapsed in 2014; not because he was acquitted on the evidence, but because the British government had mistakenly assured him that he was no longer wanted. The judge ruled that proceeding with the prosecution would therefore be an abuse of process.
Sinn Féin had played a direct role in securing consideration of Downey’s status. An official parliamentary investigation records that his name was submitted to the Northern Ireland Office on January 10th 2002 as part of what became known as “Sinn Féin list two.” Sinn Féin representatives, including Mr Gerry Kelly, were subsequently kept informed about his case.
The party’s association with Downey continued publicly:
- Sinn Féin’s newspaper described him as a party member and long-time supporter of the peace process.
- Senior figures visited him in prison and spoke in solidarity with him.
- Sinn Féin President Mary Lou McDonald said in 2019 that the party would continue supporting Downey and his family.
- Pearse Doherty condemned Downey’s arrest and extradition as “vindictive.”
- Sinn Féin speakers paid tribute to him at the party’s 2019 conference.
There are also serious questions concerning Downey’s property. Irish Land Registry documents reportedly showed that in June 2017; while victims’ relatives were pursuing civil proceedings, he removed his name from the ownership of the family home in County Donegal. Other land was reportedly transferred to his wife. The timing prompted allegations that assets were being placed beyond the claimants’ reach.
However, an important distinction must be maintained: no reliable evidence located so far proves that Sinn Féin owned, received or helped transfer these properties. The documented connection is political, personal and organisational; not a proven link to the movement of Downey’s assets.
The established facts are nevertheless significant; a court found Mr Downey civilly responsible as an active participant in an IRA bombing that killed four soldiers. Sinn Féin submitted his name to the “on-the-runs” process; the party identified him as a member; and successive senior Sinn Féin figures publicly supported him.
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