Lottery Winner Linked to 1988 IRA-Related Murder in Belfast
Investigation Reveals Connection Between Lottery Winner and Belfast Murder
Recent inquiries into one of Northern Ireland’s darkest episodes during the Troubles have uncovered a surprising connection. Reporters have identified a former lottery millionaire as a suspected participant in a notorious attack from 1988.
Operation Kenova Links Late Millionaire to IRA-Related Killing
Joe Clarke, who amassed more than £10 million by winning the EuroMillions jackpot in 2013 and died in 2023, has been implicated as the getaway driver in the killing of John Larmour, an off-duty police officer, in south Belfast.
This revelation follows further analysis of Operation Kenova, an extensive investigation focusing on the IRA’s internal security unit and its notorious double agent, Freddie Scappaticci. While Clarke is not explicitly named in the official findings, details from the report combined with investigative journalism have connected him to the incident.
On an October evening in 1988, John Larmour was fatally shot while assisting at his brother’s ice-cream shop on Lisburn Road. Two armed assailants entered shortly before closing time; one shot Larmour and the other fired at customers, causing injuries. A third IRA member was believed to have waited in the car outside.
The IRA’s Internal Security Unit launched their own inquiry due to civilian casualties. At the time, Freddie Scappaticci played a leading role in this unit and later provided intelligence to his British Army contacts within the Force Research Unit. Some of this information was also shared with RUC Special Branch, creating tension amidst concerns over protecting undercover officers.
Past Criminal Links and Intelligence Failures Stir Controversy
Operation Kenova revealed Scappaticci’s involvement in numerous violent acts, including murders and kidnappings, while being shielded by intelligence agencies. Although his unit did not prevent Larmour’s death, intelligence gathered afterward might have been pivotal for prosecutions. Despite the quick arrest of the two shooters, no charges were brought, and the suspected getaway driver was never questioned.
Clarke’s life took a dramatic turn after his earlier years repairing cars in West Belfast. Following his lottery win, he gained public recognition and was known to be among the “Hooded Men,” republican detainees subjected to abuse by British forces in 1971.
Before his death, Clarke received compensation and an official apology for his mistreatment. Meanwhile, Larmour’s family continues to wrestle with the unresolved issues surrounding informants, intelligence mishandling, and missed opportunities for justice. Nearly four decades on, this case remains a stark reminder of the lingering wounds from Northern Ireland’s troubled past.
