DNA in Tom Oliver murder case traced to possible suspect in Australia

According to reports in Australia, counter-terrorism police in New South Wales are working on the case.

Mr Oliver (43) was killed by members of the IRA’s infamous ‘nutting squad’, headed by Scappaticci, in July 1991, with his body dumped in Belleeks, south Armagh.

The Co Louth farmer, who was falsely accused of being a Garda informer, was tortured before being shot seven times in the head.

It is understood the DNA belongs to a suspect believed to have helped the Provos abduct the father-of-seven from his farm on the Cooley Peninsula.

“We’ve recovered new DNA evidence that I am hoping will significantly assist us and this incredibly brave family in understanding what happened to Thomas that day,” said Operation Kenova chief Jon Boutcher.

He also told Australian media: “Our inquiries are focused on the east coast and we are working closely with law enforcement to trace some people who we feel may have important information which will help us get answers Tom’s family so desperately need and deserve.”

Mr Oliver’s car, a blue Mark 4 Cortina, was recovered by gardai but later went missing. Appealing for help from the public, Mr Boutcher said he wanted to know what had happened to the vehicle.

“Anybody with information about this case in general or who knows what happened — and people do — please come forward and explain what happened,” he said.

“This is potentially the last chance for this family.”

 After the new evidence emerged, Mr Oliver’s family released a statement saying they hoped it might finally bring them answers about his murder.

“After 30 years, there is now light at the end of a very dark tunnel. We today seek to call upon those with information to come forward,” they said in a statement.

But any possible arrests as a result of the evidence have been thrown into doubt by the government’s proposed amnesty for Troubles-related killings.

Mr Boutcher has spoken out against Westminster’s statute of limitations, saying it “certainly doesn’t sit with me comfortably”.

Mr Oliver was snatched by the IRA’s internal security unit after he found a barrel containing guns on his land and reported it to gardai.

He was on his way to tend to a cow on his farm when he was kidnapped. His son Eugene found his car.

It is believed Scappaticci, also known as Stakeknife, had him murdered to conceal his identity as an Army agent.

Mr Oliver’s killing sparked outrage and revulsion in the area, with 4,000 people marching in protest against the IRA.