‘Crucial’ new witness in 1971 shooting inquest

Revelation postpones findings by coroner

This is important evidence based on the statement JOE MCCRISKEN BELFAST CORONER’S COURT

A “CRUCIAL” new witness has come forward to give evidence about the shooting of a man by British soldiers almost 50 years ago, a court was told yesterday.

The findings of an inquest into the death of Barney Watt, killed in disputed circumstance during rioting in North Belfast’s Ardoyne area in February 1971, had to be postponed after the new evidence emerged. The city’s Coroner’s Court was told a new witness had contacted lawyers for the Watt family with fresh information, just hours before Joe Mccrisken was due to deliver his report. He added it was “important evidence based on the statement”. The witness is due to testify via video-link today. Previously, Northern Ireland’s former state pathologist Professor Jack Crane dismissed claims from ex soldiers Mr Watt was shot as he threw an explosive device. Prof Crane told the inquest there was no evidence to support military claims the 28-year-old was throwing a petrol bomb or incendiary device when troops opened fire, hiting him on the chest and the buttock. The Watt case is among the oldest outstanding inquests being re-examined following an order from Northern Ireland’s Attorney General John Larkin QC. After examining the evidence and original pathology reports, Prof Crane said: “The soldiers’ account is not credible.”

VICTIM Barney Watt

FIGHT Barney Watt’s widow Teresa outside court in Belfast