New Breakthrough in Manchester IRA Bombing: Prime Suspect Named, Police 'Tantalizingly Close'

A recent 'forensic' review by Greater Manchester Police into the 1996 IRA bombing of Manchester came tantalisingly close to a breakthrough, the Manchester Evening News has revealed. Amid accusations from survivors that 'politics' influenced the decision to close a decades-long investigation into the attack, which injured over 200 people and caused an estimated £700 million in damage, it is understood Crown lawyers believed there was a 'fighting chance' of a conviction had a prime suspect been charged. However, this suspect died while preparations were underway for his arrest.

The Manchester Evening News has now named this individual for the first time as Cyril McGuinness, also known as 'Dublin Jimmy'. McGuinness, a Dublin-born businessman and convicted criminal, died in 2019 at the age of 57 following a police raid at his Derbyshire home. Sources close to the investigation revealed police suspected McGuinness had a 'hands on' role in the bomb plot. On the day of the attack, he was believed to have been waiting in a burgundy Ford Granada. Two other men entered this vehicle after the Ford Cargo box van, containing the 3,300lb bomb, was left at the corner of Corporation Street and Cannon Street in Manchester city centre. The Granada was later found abandoned in Preston.

While not thought to be a member of the IRA, McGuinness was a known criminal with alleged links to Irish paramilitary groups, including supplying vehicles to the Provisional IRA and involvement in smuggling activities. He had numerous convictions, including for smuggling, theft, and transporting illegal waste. In 2008, he was described in a European extradition warrant as an active member of an Irish criminal organisation. His death, which a jury inquest ruled was due to natural causes (cardiac arrest) during a police raid related to the kidnap and torture of businessman Kevin Lunney, prematurely ended the pursuit of his involvement in the bombing.

A second suspect was arrested at Birmingham Airport in September 2022, flagged due to an 'arrest on sight' order on his record. He was interviewed by Greater Manchester Police officers regarding the blast but, it is understood, did not cooperate, remaining silent, and was subsequently released without charge.

Just last week, in the run-up to the 30th anniversary of the bombing, Counter Terrorism Policing North West announced that their investigation had been declared 'no longer active', stating that all lines of enquiry had been exhausted. Assistant Chief Constable Rob Potts acknowledged the complexities of such a long-running case, stating that 'limited investigative opportunities' had now been exhausted, though he added they are prepared to review the position if any further evidence comes to light.

For survivors like Barry Laycock, 87, who was working at Victoria Station on the day of the attack, the closure of the investigation is a bitter blow. Mr Laycock suffered career-ending injuries to his leg and spine when the silent shockwave of the detonation threw him against a wall of lockers. His physical and mental scars have fueled a three-decade quest for justice. He expressed deep annoyance at the decision to close the investigation, alleging that the failure to secure a prosecution has 'all been political'. He believes there is still sufficient evidence to continue and is considering taking his case to the Independent Office of Police Complaints, stating, 'For 30 years it has taken over my life. I have been fighting for justice for all that time - I am not going to stop now.'

Mr Laycock was also one of three men who brought a legal case against Gerry Adams, which was discontinued in March. The civil case alleged Mr Adams was a leading member of the Provisional IRA. Mr Adams denied any involvement and was never a member of the Provisional IRA. The case was discontinued due to concerns it might be an 'abuse of process', and the risk of significant legal costs for the claimants. Mr Laycock was 'completely devastated' by its collapse.

Steve Panter, a Manchester Evening News reporter who investigated the bombing in 1999, also believes politics affected the progress of the first GMP investigation. He suggested that the IRA's motive for the bombing was 'economic warfare' aimed at making a statement to the government, which they felt was dragging its feet on the peace process. He noted the warning given allowed for evacuation, preventing mass casualties, as killing hundreds would likely have collapsed the peace process. Panter highlighted the irony that while compelling evidence was available against a suspect he had named, police arrested Detective Inspector Gordon Mutch for allegedly leaking a report, rather than the suspect himself. Mutch was later acquitted.

A 2016 review of the investigation, commenced by a senior officer in GMP's Cold Case Unit, made recommendations and identified potential evidence. Checks were made regarding DNA evidence, but instead of identifying a suspect, this ruled out a line of inquiry. Police believed at least three people were involved in planting and detonating the bomb, all of whom fled Manchester. Prior to being declared 'no longer active', the review was unable to produce evidence that would have reached the charging threshold against anyone still alive. Neither Counter Terror Police nor Greater Manchester Police have confirmed or denied Cyril McGuinness was a suspect in the investigation.