Inquests open 47 years after Belfast killings
THE deaths of 10 people during three days of shootings in west Belfast were the result of “illegitimate, unjustified and indiscriminate use of force by the Army”, a court has heard.
Nine men and a woman were killed in the so-called “Ballymurphy massacre”, in August 1971. The killings happened during an Army action known as Operation Demetrius, in which paramilitary suspects were detained without trial.
In 2011, John Larkin, Northern Ireland’s Attorney General, directed that new inquests be held after a long campaign by families who claimed the original hearings were inadequate.
Soldiers have long been held responsible for killing all 10 people, but earlier this year former members of the paramilitary Ulster Volunteer Force claimed their organisation was also involved.
As inquests opened in Belfast yesterday, Sean Doran QC, counsel for the coroner’s service, said each incident would require “careful scrutiny”. In what he described as a “very broad observation” on the core issues, he said: “The narrative of the military is legitimate use of force was used at a time of heightened tension and response to specific threats.”
He said this was contrary to the families’ belief that the deaths were the result of “illegitimate, unjustified and indiscriminate use of force by the Army on civilians”.
Mr Doran said the original investigations were “very limited”, and that there were multiple failures to get witness accounts and missed forensic opportunities.
He said examination of shooting scenes would not necessarily have been routine given the “legitimate security concerns at the time”.
At the time (1971), officials from the Royal Military Police interviewed soldiers after multiple shootings.
Mr Doran said the original inquests did not carry out a rigorous examination of military statements.
“The open verdict did not allow for any finding as to whether use of force was justified,” he said. “This inquest will not be so limited in nature or in scope.”
The inquests are expected to run until March.