Kieran Conway to give evidence at Birmingham bombing inquest

Dublin solicitor Kieran Conway has said he will give evidence at the newly resumed Birmingham pub bombings inquests if he is assured he will not be prosecuted.

Mr Conway, a former IRA intelligence chief, spoke to gardaí of the Special Detective Unit about the bombings earlier this year.

West Midlands Police requested gardaí speak to the solicitor following revelations in his 2014 book, Southside Provisional, in which he wrote that former IRA chief of staff Dáithí Ó Conaill talked to him about the bombings in their immediate aftermath.

He has since agreed to a second meeting with West Midlands Police and indicated he would give evidence to the new inquest.

Mr Conway told the Belfast Telegraph: “I am willing to go to England if the British informally indicate that I won’t be arrested and prosecuted for historic IRA membership.

“I am glad the Birmingham families have secured a fresh inquest but I fear that it won’t bring them any comfort.

“They understandably want people put behind bars and I don’t believe that is going to happen because the evidence isn’t there.”