Mr Elliott’s father - also Jim - was abducted by the IRA in 1972 while working as a lorry driver. The UDR Corporal’s body was later found on the Monaghan border, boobytrapped with explosives; two IRA men were later jailed in the Republic for explosives offences. Mr Elliott said last night: “I would like to see the police we have been in contact with stand up and give us the truth. And by that I especially mean the Garda and also the PSNI Legacy Investigations Branch. Nobody wants to know. They are hiding everything.” A surviving IRA man was named in the Historical Enquiries Team report on the murder as having been convicted of boobytrapping the body. “The Garda never told us for 30 years that he had been convicted of boobytrapping my father’s body with a 600lb bomb,” Mr Elliott said. “This IRA man was convicted for explosives charges but they just did not bother their backsides to question him about the murder. How incredible is that? We can’t explain it any other way except to conclude that there must have been - and still be - collusion between the Garda and the IRA.” Advocacy worker Jonathan Larner of Ulster Human Rights Watch, says the suspect is still alive and living in the Republic of Ireland. “However, incredibly, Asst Commissioner John O’Driscoll told us last year that he was never questioned about the murder. And despite this clarification the PSNI has continued in their steadfast refusal to request to act.” The News Letter asked the Irish Department of Justice why since 1972 the man convicted of the boobytrapping was never questioned about the murder - even since the family’s renewed lobbying? It responded that the investigation of offences in NI is “a matter for the Northern Ireland authorities” by which it is understood to mean that Mr Elliott’s body was found a few yards across the border in NI. It added that southern authorities may help those in NI if asked. The PSNI said it has conducted a number of lines of enquiry and sought the advice of the Public Prosecution Service, which it will assess for any further investigative action. MORE NEWS DUP MP Sammy Wilson fires broadside at climate change science of COP26 summit Mannok raises ‘safety’ concerns after ex-tycoon Sean Quinn’s comments in extended interview Groups clash over lobbying Stormont on gay conversion therapy ban NI High Street Voucher Scheme: How to check balance on spend local card and what to do if you need a refund A message from the Editor: Thank you for reading this story on our website. While I have your attention, I also have an important request to make of you. With the coronavirus lockdown having a major impact on many of our advertisers - and consequently the revenue we receive - we are more reliant than ever on you taking out a digital subscription. Subscribe to newsletter.co.uk and enjoy unlimited access to the best Northern Ireland and UK news and information online and on our app. With a digital subscription, you can read more than 5 articles, see fewer ads, enjoy faster load times, and get access to exclusive newsletters and content. Visit https://www.newsletter.co.uk/subscriptions now to sign up. Our journalism costs money and we rely on advertising, print and digital revenues to help to support them. By supporting us, we are able to support you in providing trusted, fact-checked content for this website. Ben Lowry Editor