Jim Shannon, the MP for Strangford, told the Commons that Hugh ‘Lexie’ Cummings from Artigarvan outside Strabane was shot in the back and chest at close range by the IRA.
Jim Shannon asked why William Gerard McMonagle, who is now the Mayor of Letterkenny, did not stand trial.
Mr McMonagle said today he was taking legal advice on the ‘outrageous’ claims. He did stand trial and was cleared of the murder.
Mr Shannon asked: “Why did William Gerard McMonagle not stand trial for the murder of Lexie Cummings?
“How was Willam Gerard McMonagle allowed to travel across the border to safety and freedom and begin a new life which would lead him to today being the Mayor of Letterkenny?#8221;
He also said: “There are too many questions that HET due to scope and resources could not answer but which the family deserved an answer to.
“They turn on the news and they see the Mayor of Letterkenny, Gerry McMonagle, having ran from justice in Northern Ireland after being proven to have been at the scene with gun powder residue on him, embracing his freedom and his position in life.
“The family visit the grave of a true gentleman Lexie Cummings with questions in their minds and grief in their hearts.
“Who can answer these questions and give the family closure?#8221;
Today a senior Sinn Fein official in Belfast told donegaldaily.com: “This was an outrageous claim from Shannon who has used parliamentary privilege to make wild and unfounded allegations. We would challenge him to repeat that outside.
“This is the DUP of old popping its head up and there are serious questions for them to answer over this.”
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