‘Supergrass’ Raymond Gilmour died ‘without facing the justice normally reserved for those who carry out such crimes against their own people': Derry commemoration told

The family of a young Derry man, shot dead by British soldiers in the city 39 years ago, have called for an inquiry into his death. Colm McNutt, a member of the INLA, was 17 when he shot dead by the SAS while trying to hijack a car close to the city centre on December 12, 1977. His family believe he was 'set up' by 'supergrass' informer Raymond Gilmour, also an INLA member at the time. It is believed Gilmour, who was found dead aged 55 in his secret hideaway in Kent at the end of October, tipped off his RUC handler that a robbery was about to take place. Gilmour escaped uninjured and went on to become one of the North's most notorious supergrasses, later joining the IRA at the request of his British 'handlers'. A commemoration (pictured) was held on Saturday at the Colm McNutt memorial at the corner of Rossville Street and William Street, close to where he was shot dead. Close to 100 people attended the event and wreaths were laid by family members and representatives of the Irish Republican Socialist Party (IRSP). Michael Kelly, from the Belfast branch of the IRSP, told those present: "Today we pay tribute to INLA volunteer Colm McNutt. "Colm understood that their needed to be opposition to occupation and at a young age joined the INLA and IRSP and confronted that British occupation with the force of arms and the ideas of revolution." Mr Kelly said the family believed Raymond Gilmour was responsible for Colm's death. "There have been recent calls from the McNutt family for an inquiry into Colm's death," he said. "They believe Colm was lured to his death by a man who he thought was his friend, a man well known in this area as someone who sold out his own community and took the Queen's shilling in return for the murder and imprisonment of members of his own community. "Raymond Gilmour recently died a lonely and friendless death in a foreign town and is reported to have been abandoned by the British state in recent years. "Sadly though, he has died without facing the justice normally reserved for those who carry out such crimes against their own people and that was the main thought of many within this community on hearing of his death. "There was though a tiny sense of justice for many in hearing that he died a broken, isolated, pathetic and lonely death in a strange town. Small justice perhaps. "There couldn't be a bigger difference between how we remember our friend and comrade Colm. "We gather at this spot every year to pay tribute to him and to remember who he was and the political beliefs that he followed. "Those beliefs are as relevant today as they were in 1977 when Colm died at the hands of the British army. "He was principled, brave and determined and above all dedicated to the ideals which led him to join a working class movement in order to fight for freedom and justice." Independent Derry councillor Warren Robinson said it was important to remember volunteers like Colm McNutt. "It gives a focal point to remember his sacrifice," said Cllr Robinson. "The comparison made was important, every year people get together to remember Colm and compare that to Raymond Gilmour found dead in a bedsit. There is no comparison.” Cllr Robinson reiterated calls for an inquiry into Colm's death. "The family has issued a plea for an inquiry into Colm's death and it's important that Gilmour's role in this is investigated," he said. "I would echo their call. "It is very important the family find out the truth around Colm's killing." -