Factory pays £20,000 to widow of executive killed by IRA
STATE PAPERS: NORTHERN IRELAND
BY DR Eamon Phoenix
Irish News
30/12/08
THE widow of an English businessman murdered by the IRA as he left a west Belfast factory was given a payment of £20,000 by the company.
James Nicholson, a Yorkshire business executive, was shot dead on his way back to Belfast airport after a visit to the Strathearn Audio plant on March 14 1977.
At a meeting of Department of Commerce staff with the company’s managing director, Gordon Smyth, on April 24 1978, the position of Mr Nicholson’s widow was discussed.
Mr Smyth took the view that the company should make an ex-gratia payment to Mrs Nicholson but said he had been unable to get an agreement from the firm’s directors.
It was noted that there was concern at the possible public reaction to a payment by Strathearn Audio in all the circumstances.
In the event it was agreed to make a special payment of £20,000 to the widow.
'So venceremos, beidh bua againn eigin lá eigin. Sealadaigh abú.'
--Bobby Sands