Australian police officer Nick Kaldas joins Stakeknife investigation in Northern Ireland
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Version 0 of 1. A top Australian police officer, Nick Kaldas, is joining an investigation into the alleged murders of IRA members by a British spy codenamed Stakeknife during the Troubles in Northern Ireland. The former New South Wales deputy police commissioner who resigned abruptly earlier this year has been asked to join the six-person steering committee leading the investigation. Stakeknife was a British double agent for about 20 years. He infiltrated the top ranks of the IRA and has been connected to the murders of IRA men. “It’s a complex investigation by any measure and it spans a number of years – the investigations team has already hit the ground running,” Kaldas told Radio National. “I understand they have already undertaken many steps in interviewing witnesses and victims’ families. “I am humbled and quite honoured for an Australian to be asked to be part of this, and I saw it as really important in getting the truth and getting justice and closure for the families of the victims.” Kaldas said he had been approached because of his work investigating the assassinations of 21 people in Lebanon and his extensive homicide investigation experience in Australia. He acknowledged the political sensitivity of investigating the British army for crimes against Irish Catholics during the Troubles but referenced public pressure as one of the main factors behind the investigation. “I think the pain being felt by the victims’ families, the voices reached an crescendo and they decided to lance the boil, have an inquiry and hopefully that will get everyone closure,” he said. Kaldas will travel to the UK in December. He said the job would be a part-time role. When asked if there had been any restrictions put on him, he responded: “None at all, they want frank and fearless advice and that’s what they are going to get.” Before he resigned from NSW police he signalled an interest in becoming police commissioner. “I’ve always had a passion for serving New South Wales and I absolutely have a passion for serving the men and women in New South Wales police, if called on I would have to seriously consider it, but I am doing other things now and heading in a different direction,” Kaldas said. “I’m in a different space at the moment, I don’t really see that happening in the current environment.” |