‘New information’ over 1971 murder of Fusiliers as trio commemorated

MEMORIAL services were held for three Scottish soldiers, both in their home nation as well as on the remote country road in the hills above Belfast where they were murdered by the IRA 47 years ago.

Royal Highland Fusiliers Dougald McCaughey (23), from Glasgow, and brothers John (17) and Joseph McCaig (18), from Ayr, were lured from the city centre, where they had been socialising, to White Brae, where they were shot dead on March 10, 1971.

Traffic came to a standstill on Ligoniel Road yesterday afternoon as a small crowd turned out to pay respects to the three men at an annual service organised by the Oldpark/Cavehill branch of the Royal British Legion.

Rev Mervyn Gibson conducted a short service at the site where the three soldiers died, before representatives from the British Legion, as well as a number of veterans’ groups, laid wreaths.

A service of remembrance also took place at the Cenotaph at George Square in Glasgow on Saturday evening.

And memorial flags flew in their honour at two Rangers Supporters’ Clubs in Scotland yesterday.

Kris McGurk, who has been working with the McCaig and McCaughey families seeking justice for the murders, said they had recently gathered fresh information which they hope will help them in their quest.

And they are set to view the original police investigation files in the next week.

“In little over a year we have done a tremendous amount of work to build a strong foundation for the campaign,” Mr McGurk said in his speech to those gathered at the Glasgow service.

“We have gathered fresh information which will help us further in our fight. We have had politicians openly supporting us, equally we have had politicians openly refusing to support us.

“The media have been terrific with us, you the public have remained by our side 100% of the way, our legal team have worked tirelessly to get our campaign into a strong position.

“Within the next week or so we will finally be given access to A wreath-laying ceremony at the memorial in Ligoniel to the three soldiers (from left) Dougald McCaughey and brothers Joseph and John McCaig

the original investigation files, which we hope will be of great use to our legal team; this is a huge step forward for us.”

Mr McGurk said a motion is currently live in the Scottish Parliament, brought by Conservative MSP Maurice Corry, calling for justice for the trio.

“We have asked all MSPs to sign the motion as well as asking all our supporters to contact

their local MSP repeating our request,” he added.

He urged the UK Government to pursue investigations into IRA atrocities

“The Government must now commit to doing all they can to bring IRA killers to justice, whoever they are and wherever they may be, not making disgusting deals behind everyone’s backs,” he said.