Soldiers 'overreacted' when they shot five people dead in Belfast, judge says

Key developments are emerging from the global stage. Soldiers 'overreacted' when they shot five people dead, judge says 14 minutes ago Share Save Add as preferred on Google Kelly Bonner , Hayley Halpin and Claire Quinn , News NI PA The families of those killed reacted with joy after the verdict findings were delivered An inquest into the shooting of five people in west Belfast in 1972 has found that the Army "lost control" in a number of cases and "overreacted to a perceived threat". Fr Noel Fitzpatrick, father-of-six Patrick Butler, 15-year-old David McCafferty and 16-year-old John Dougal were killed by the same soldier in the Springhill estate on 9 July 1972. Thirteen-year-old Margaret Gargan was shot "directly in the face" by a different soldier on the same day.

Coroner Mr Justice Scoffield concluded that the force used in all five shootings was "not reasonable". He also concluded that evidence suggested that "some sporadic rounds were fired" earlier in the evening and rejected the "civilian case that not one round had been fired on the 9th of July". The court heard that four of the five people killed were shot by the same soldier, and two were killed by the same bullet.

The Details

Mr Justice Scoffield concluded that "Solider A did not have an honest belief" that he was under immediate danger "or attack" from any of the individuals. He said the "force used was not reasonable" and that it was "not in compliance with the yellow card" in the Army's rules of engagement. No warning was given before the shootings.

In a statement following the verdict, the Ministry of Defence (MoD) said they acknowledged the coroner's findings and were "considering them carefully". "We remain firmly committed to supporting our veterans and to the delivery of truth, recovery, reconciliation, and closure. " Family handout Margaret Gargan was 13 when she was killed, John Dougal was 16 Margaret Gargan Thirteen-year-old Margret Gargan was shot "directly in the face", posing "no risk at all", the court heard.

Mr Justice Scoffield concluded that the girl was killed in an "aimed shot" and that "no firing was at her location" at the time of her killing. The court heard "no warning" was given by a soldier, known as Soldier E, and that he "fired prematurely and lost control". The court heard Soldier E didn't "properly assess the risk" and the 13-year-old was "talking to her friends in the street".

What Experts Say

She was "wholly innocent", the judge said. Speaking after the verdict, her brother Harry Gargan said the verdict of "unjust killing will never end the decades of grief and trauma inflicted on our family". He said the "truth of what happened to our beautiful sister Margaret was always what our late mother and father desired".

"The British establishment need to recognise this verdict with a genuine heartfelt and unequivocal apology for the decades of hurt and grief inflicted on our families," Gargan said.

The development has drawn wide international attention, with diplomatic circles watching closely.