Claudy Report: Main Findings

Detectives believed Fr Chesney was the IRA’s director of operations in south Derry and was a prime suspect in the Claudy attack…

Detectives believed Fr Chesney was the IRA’s director of operations in south Derry and was a prime suspect in the Claudy attack and other terrorist incidents.

  • A detective's request to arrest the cleric was refused by an assistant chief constable of the RUC's Special Branch, who said "matters are in hand".
  • The same senior officer wrote to the British government about what action could be taken to "render harmless a dangerous priest" and asked if the matter could be raised with the church's hierarchy.
  • In December 1972, Northern secretary William Whitelaw met Catholic primate Cardinal William Conway to discuss the issue. According to a Northern Ireland Office official: "The cardinal said he knew the priest was a very bad man and would see what could be done." The church leader mentioned "the possibility of transferring him to Donegal . . ."
  • In response to this memo, RUC chief constable Sir Graham noted: "I would prefer a transfer to Tipperary."
  • An entry in Dr Conway's diary on December 5th, 1972 confirmed a meeting with Mr Whitelaw took place and stated there had been "a rather disturbing tete-a-tete at the end about C".
  • In another diary entry two months later, the cardinal noted that he had discussed the issue with Fr Chesney's superior and that "the superior however had given him orders to stay where he was on sick leave until further notice".