Daily Mirror (Northern Ireland)
Killing witness ‘felt at fault’
A WITNESS at the Ballymurphy inquest has said he felt “responsible” for the fatal shooting of a teenager he knew.
Francis Corr was yesterday giving evidence to the inquiry examining the deaths of 10 people in 1971, widely blamed on the Parachute Regiment.
Frank Quinn, 19, was shot on August 9 as he went to the aid of a wounded man in the Springfield Park area of West Belfast.
Mr Corr, who saw the attack, said the death has bothered him for “a long time”. He had entered the park to check on his friend after being told people were fleeing homes due to rioting. Mr Corr recalled hearing a gunshot as he stood with Mr Quinn. He described seeing a man cross a field before falling. As he went to his aid, Mr Quinn followed.
An emotional Mr Corr told the court: “I didn’t know Frank was behind me until he came up alongside me. For a long time I felt responsible”.
He said if Mr Quinn had not stopped to talk he never would have followed him on to the field.
The inquest continues.