#2943, Marcus Edgcumbe McCAUSLAND

Marcus McCausland - 4th March 1972

SEFF remembers Marcus McCausland who was murdered by Official IRA terrorists.

Marcus was a 38-year-old Roman Catholic, married, a land owner and a member of the UDR CGC regiment holding the rank of Captain and was one of the few Roman Catholics to ever hold office in the Ulster Unionist Party.

The Official IRA abducted him and shot him in the head. Marcus was the third UDR member to be murdered in ‘The Troubles’ and was also the first UDR CGC Officer to be murdered.

Marcus was visiting friends in Donegal and as he was crossing the border he was abducted, hooded and shot in the head. His body was found on a snow-covered laneway at Brae Head in Londonderry.

The Official IRA said in statement: "It was established through interrogation that he was actually working for British intelligence".

The army said the claim was "nonsense". It is believed that Marcus was about to leave the UDR CGC when he was murdered because he feared for the safety of his family.

Marcus had formerly served with the Irish Guards and was educated at Eton. In 1967, he was appointed high sheriff for Co Londonderry.

He was married to an Argentinian woman and was the chairman of the Limavady Ulster Unionist branch.

SEFF’s thoughts and prayers are with all innocents impacted by the brutal murder of Marcus.