Joe Clarke, a former lottery winner, has been named a suspect in the 1988 murder of an off-duty police officer in Belfast, Northern Ireland. Clarke, who won £10 million in the EuroMillions lottery in 2013 and passed away in 2023, is believed to have been the getaway driver in the attack. The investigation into the incident is part of Operation Kenova, which has reopened discussions regarding historical conflicts in Northern Ireland, highlighting the complex interplay of justice and unresolved tensions.
Operation Kenova, a comprehensive inquiry into the actions of the Provisional Irish Republican Army (IRA) and its informants, uncovered Clarke’s potential involvement in the murder of police officer John Larmour. Larmour was killed in October 1988 while he was working at his brother’s ice cream shop on Lisburn Road in south Belfast. Two armed assailants entered the shop before closing, fatally shooting Larmour and wounding bystanders. Clarke is suspected of acting as the getaway driver for the attackers.
The investigation draws from extensive research into the IRA’s internal operations and the activities of Freddie Scappaticci, a high-ranking member of the IRA’s Internal Security Unit, who was later revealed to be a double agent working with the British Army’s Force Research Unit. Although Clarke’s name does not appear in the official report, media sources have linked him to the operation based on details from the investigation.
The IRA’s Internal Security Unit initiated its own inquiry into the incident due to civilian casualties during the attack. Scappaticci, who had significant influence within the unit at the time, reportedly passed on intelligence from his internal briefings to British intelligence, creating tension between different agencies concerned about exposing another covert informant.
Operation Kenova concluded that Scappaticci was involved in numerous criminal activities, including murder and kidnapping, while under the protection of intelligence agencies. Although Scappaticci was unable to prevent Larmour’s murder, the investigation suggests that intelligence gathered afterward could have led to prosecutions. Despite the quick arrest of the gunmen involved, charges were never brought, and the suspected getaway driver was not interrogated.
Clarke’s life after his lottery win was a sharp contrast to his alleged past involvement with the IRA. Before gaining wealth, he worked as a car mechanic in West Belfast. He was also associated with the “Hooded Men,” a group of republicans who were detained and allegedly mistreated by British forces in 1971. Just before his death, Clarke received compensation and an official apology for his treatment during that time.
The resurfacing of Clarke’s possible role in the attack has reignited longstanding issues in Northern Ireland. Larmour’s family faces renewed concerns over the use of informants, intelligence failures, and missed opportunities for justice. The case remains a poignant reminder of the unresolved violence from the Troubles era, continuing to influence contemporary Northern Ireland society.
By revisiting this chapter of Northern Ireland’s history, Operation Kenova sheds light on the enduring complexities of past conflicts. As historical inquiries like this unfold, they underscore the ongoing challenges of reconciling justice with historical accountability, highlighting gaps in intelligence operations and the lingering impact of unresolved grievances from a turbulent period. The implications of these investigations reach beyond the individuals involved, offering broader insights into the difficulties of post-conflict societal healing and the pursuit of justice.
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