Families still seek answers over 1983 South Armagh murders

The families of two 34-year-old men murdered in South Armagh in 1983 are continuing to search for answers about what happened to their loved ones.

Paddy Mackin and Eamon MacMahon were found dead on the morning of July 13, 1983. According to the Belfast Telegraph report, both men had been shot at close range with a shotgun.

Families challenge original account

The murders were initially blamed on INLA leaders Dominic and Mary McGlinchey. However, the victims’ families do not accept that explanation and believe other republicans were involved.

The families claim an informer recruited by Captain Robert Nairac helped arrange the circumstances that led to the men’s deaths. They further allege that the informer later fled Northern Ireland after Freddie Scappaticci warned MI5 that the person’s identity had been compromised.

Those claims form part of the families’ continuing effort to establish who was responsible for the killings and what information may have been withheld. The source report does not state that the allegations have been proven, nor does it identify any new investigation or legal action arising from them.

Report behind the story

The story was first reported by Belfast Telegraph political editor Suzanne Breen and was later featured in the publication’s podcast coverage of the families’ search for truth.

The Belfast Telegraph article was published on August 17, 2026, at 1.16am, according to the supplied source. The case is presented in the context of the Troubles and remains focused on the families’ disputed account of the events surrounding the South Armagh murders.