Ballymurphy Inquest: Calls for UK Government to apologise
Last updated 12th May 2021
There are growing calls for the UK Government to issue an apology over the army’s actions during the Ballymurphy Massacre.
It is after Coroner Mrs Justice Keegan found that 10 civilians who were killed in West Belfast in 1971 were “entirely innocent” and soldiers were responsible for nine of the fatal shootings.
Fresh inquests into the deaths concluded that the use of lethal force by the Army was not justified.
Justice Keegan also criticised the lack of investigation into the 10th death, that of John McKerr, and said she could not definitively rule who had shot him.
SDLP leader Colum Eastwood and Alliance Party leader Naomi Long urged the Government to “step up and formally apologise for the actions of the Army on the day in question''.
Speaking to Cool Fm and Downtown Radio the Justice Minister said:
““Not only were their loved ones completely innocent, not only were their loved ones killed during that time, but there was a web of lies and sneers about their loved ones, which has really compounded hurt.”
“Justice also matters, and accountability matters and at the very least I think the Government can accept it is accountable for the actions of its own armed forces.
“It is appropriate and right that the Government ought to, in the same way David Cameron did around Blood Sunday offer the families a genuine apology for not just what happened on those particular days, but what has happened for 50 years since.”
In 2010 former Prime Minister David Cameron apologised to the families of 13 civil rights marchers in Londonderry in 1972 who were fatally shot by soldiers after an inquiry found all were innocent.
Mrs Long added : ““At the very least having had the truth they should also now have accountability and ultimately the Government is accountable for the armed forces.”
On Tuesday evening, Northern Ireland Secretary Brandon Lewis acknowledged the hurt to the families of the 10 people killed, which included a mother of eight and a Catholic priest.
He said: “The Government will carefully consider the extensive findings set out by the coroner, but it is clear that those who died were entirely innocent of wrongdoing.''
Padraig O’Muirigh represents nine of the 10 Ballymurphy families and said they have instigated civil proceedings against the Ministry of Defence.
He said: “In light of these findings and the strong criticisms, they will be pushing on with that.''
Northern Ireland's First Minister, Arlene Foster, said it had been a “long road for the Ballymurphy families'' and commended their tenacity.
Deputy First Minister Michelle O'Neill described a “powerful day'', adding: “It has laid bare for all to see that the British forces murdered their family members, their innocent family members.
“They have always known that and now the whole world sees that is the case.''
The shootings in the Ballymurphy area of west Belfast came over three days from August 9-11 following the controversial introduction of internment without trial.
Soldiers were met with violence across Northern Ireland as they detained IRA suspects.
Mrs Justice Keegan acknowledged in her lengthy rulings that the killings took place in a “highly charged and difficult environment''.
However, the presiding coroner said it was “very clear'' that “all of the deceased in the series of inquests were entirely innocent of any wrongdoing on the day in question''.
Relatives of those killed applauded in Belfast Coroner's Court as their loved ones were officially found innocent after 50 years.
Misinformation had been circulated that they had been terrorists.
There were celebrations in west Belfast on Tuesday night.
A cavalcade of cars made its way through the streets beeping horns while white flags with the word "innocent'' on them were waved.
Original inquests into the Ballymurphy 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.
Families of people who were killed at Ballymurphy arrive the International Convention Centre (ICC) in Belfast
A poignant backdrop for Tuesday's press conference at the Corpus Christi youth club in Belfast.
People from Ballymurphy bang lids on the ground as a cavalcade of cars pass through Ballymurphy, thanking the community for its support over the past 50 years.
Neighbours and families of the 10 victims of the Ballymurphy killings gather on the Whiterock Road of the greater Ballymurphy area
John Teggart and Breige Voyle representing the families of the 10 victims of the Ballymurphy killings release white doves in the greater Ballymurphy area in west Belfast to thank the community for their support.
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BALLYMURPHY INQUEST: CORONER RULES VICTIMS WERE ENTIRELY INNOCENT
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