Former Provisional IRA man linked to Troubles murders dies following illness
A former Provisional IRA man who was tied to a number of killings during the Troubles has died following an illness. Sean Clinton, from the Ormeau Road area, was accused of the murder of senior UDA figures Joe Bratty and Raymond Elder in July 1994.The loyalist pair had been suspected by security forces of involvement in several sectarian killings, including the Sean Graham bookmaker’s shooting in 1992 in which five people were killed. During proceeding in Belfast Crown Court, Clinton, who was one of two men on trial for the murders of Elder and Bratty, was identified by an eyewitness. The witness picked Clinton out of a police lineup as the man who yelled “we got the b******s” while fleeing the scene in a red Ford Sierra, according to a report by the Irish Times.The vehicle was pursued by the RUC but the chase ended after a crowd of republicans blocked the path. Clinton and his co-accused, James McCormick, were found not guilty of the murders by Mr Justice Campbell. Sources say that Clinton, in his 50s, died after a battle a battle with cancer on Tuesday.The father-of-four was a suspect in the murder of ex-IRA member Kevin McGuigan.McGuigan, a father of nine, was shot dead in the Short Strand area of Belfast in 2015.His murder prompted a political crisis at Stormont amid claims IRA members were involved.It led to a period of instability at Stormont, with DUP ministers engaging in a series of rolling resignations in protest at the IRA’s alleged involvement in the shooting.Clinton was arrested in west Belfast as part of a police investigation into the murder.However, he contested the arrest and attempted to sue the Chief Constable George Hamilton, arguing that he was wrongfully arrested.Following news of his death, a mourner paid tribute to Clinton who “fought from the front”.It read: “Salute a brave rebel and revolutionary, RIP comrade Sean Clinton. You fought from the front. Your contribution to the continued struggle won’t be forgotten.” A funeral notice by Mallon Brothers Funeral Directors said that the south Belfast man died surrounded by his loving family.It added: “A Devoted partner to Catherine. A loving father to Keva, James, Ursula and Sinéad and a loving grandfather to Méabh and Bronagh. “Much-loved brother to David, Charlie, Jim, Anne Marie and Catherine. A loving uncle, great uncle, and friend to many.” Clinton will be buried May 4 at St Agnes Church, followed by burial in Milltown Cemetery.
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