KILLING OF 10 INNOCENTS
N.I. VICTIMS RULED BLAMELESS 50 YEARS AFTER ARMY SHOOTINGS
TEN people shot and killed during an army operation at the start of the Troubles in Belfast 50 years ago were ‘entirely innocent’, a coroner has ruled.
Relatives applauded amid jubilant scenes at Belfast coroner’s court following inquests into the deaths at Ballymurphy that included a motherof-eight and a Catholic priest.
But Mary Lou McDonald, who is the president of Sinn Fein, described the ruling as ‘bittersweet’.
Shortly after the hearing prime minister Boris Johnson outlined legislation in the Queen’s Speech that will give former soldiers greater protection from prosecution over incidents that occurred during the conflict.
An inquest had earlier heard the shootings came during disturbances over the introduction of internment of
IRA suspects without trial in Northern Ireland on August 9, 1971.
Mrs Justice Keegan said it was a ‘chaotic time’ but said soldiers’ use of force was ‘disproportionate’ in five incidents in the space of three days. It led to nine deaths for which the Army was responsible.
And she ruled out paramilitary involvement by any of those killed, insisting that they were ‘entirely innocent of any wrongdoing on the day in question’.
The victims included Father Hugh Mullan, 38; Frank Quinn, 19; Noel Phillips, 19; Joseph Murphy, 41; Joan Connolly, 44; Daniel Teggart, 44; Eddie Doherty, 31; Joseph Corr, 43; John Laverty, 20; and John McKerr, 49. The coroner said there was not enough evidence to know where the shot that killed Mr McKerr came from.
But she added it was ‘shocking’ that there was no adequate investigation held after the killing.
Speaking after yesterday’s ruling, solicitor Padraig Ó Muirigh – who represents the Ballymurphy families – said they have instigated civil proceedings against the Ministry of Defence.
‘In light of these findings and the strong criticisms, they will be pushing on with that,’ he added
Original inquests into the deaths in 1972 returned open verdicts and the bereaved families subsequently pursued a long campaign for fresh probes to be held.
New inquests began in 2018, with the final oral evidence heard last March.