An Phoblacht’s coverage of the alleged "shoot-to-kill" incidents. Shortly after taking charge of the Royal Ulster Constabulary (RUC), Chief Constable Hermon set up the Headquarters Mobile Support Units (HMSU). Members of these anti-terrorism units were drawn from the RUC Special Branch and were trained by the SAS in “firepower, speed and aggression”.

During November and December 1982, the HMSU was responsible for shooting dead six people in three separate incidents. On the 11 November 1982, an HMSU shot dead three IRA members at a police checkpoint near Lurgan. Police alleged that the car refused to stop and officers came under fire, however no firearms were found in the car. Two weeks later, an HMSU shot two men during a stake-out of a hayshed, at a farm near Lurgan. One of the men, who had no paramilitary connections, was killed. Three pre-war rifles, incapable of being fired, were found nearby. On the 12 December, two Irish National Liberation Army (INLA) men were shot dead on the outskirts of Armagh by an undercover unit, again no firearms were recovered from their car.

Following the killings there was a political outcry and allegations of a RUC shoot-to-kill policy. Chief Constable Hermon believed that men engaged in undercover operations should be fully protected from investigation. However, the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) insisted that the cases be investigated and charges brought against four officers. At the trial, it was found that the police’s version of events contradicted the forensic evidence. It transpired that special branch had used the Official Secrets Act to publish a false cover-up story and that police witnesses had been ordered to lie and change their evidence. The acquittal of the policemen caused a political row and the government commissioned an independent inquiry. Greater Manchester Deputy Chief Constable Stalker arrived in May 1984 to investigate the shoot-to-kill incidents. Stalker alleged RUC obstruction throughout the course of his investigation. Before Stalker could finish his inquiry, he stood down after disciplinary offences were made against him. Although, Stalker was fully reinstated without charge, Colin Sampson of West Yorkshire Police replaced him as the head of the inquiry.

The full Sampson/Stalker report was never published but Stalker wrote a book on the affair. He concluded that there was no shoot-to-kill policy but was critical of the police investigation into the shootings and their subsequent response to the inquiry. The DPP insisted that two RUC superintendents be suspended. Charles Kelly Chief Constable of Staffordshire was asked to carry out a disciplinary investigation into the RUC officers involved in the incidents. The suspended senior officers were allowed to resign and 20 officers were disciplined.