Face to face
By Stephen Breen
31 July 2005
Joan Feenan, from Ardglass, Co Down is seeking a face-to-face meeting with graveyard killer Michael Stone over the murders of her elderly aunt and cousin.
She believes Stone can help solve the double-killing of Kathleen and Terence Mullan.
Mrs Mullan (79) and son Terence (32) were gunned down at their isolated Ballynahinch home by the UFF in 1986.
Lisburn loyalist Jeffrey McCullough was convicted of assisting the killers, but no-one has ever been charged with their murders.
At the time, loyalists claimed Mr Mullan was a driver for senior republicans - a claim the family vehemently denies.
Ms Feenan (53) wants to meet Stone because she believes the gun used was one of the weapons later used by him to kill three people at Milltown Cemetery, in 1988.
Said Ms Feenan: “My aunt and cousin’s senseless murders have been on my mind for a very long time.
“We were told that the weapon used in the attack was the same one used by Stone at Milltown - that’s why I’m willing to meet him.
“I don’t know if he killed my relatives but he may know something about it. I’m not afraid to meet him.
“I just want to know why they were murdered. They were completely innocent, and even if it is almost 20 years on, we still deserve answers.
“I’ve also decided to speak out now because I’m aware of the promise by police to re-investigate unsolved murders of the Troubles, and I want to know if my aunt and cousin are included in this process.”
Stone said: “I’ve no problem meeting this woman because I have nothing to hide. I didn’t kill her relatives.
“I’ll admit that I did see his ‘file’, and I believe he was a legitimate target because I believe he was involved with republicanism.
“The gun I used at Milltown was taken from a police officer some two years before, but I can remember the cops telling me a different type of weapon was used to kill the Mullans.
“I was active in the south Down area, and I will try and tell this woman why young loyalists went out to kill in a ‘war’ situation.”
