Findings on Ballymurphy Inquest to be released in May
Last updated 26th Mar 2021
The inquest findings on a series of Troubles shootings involving the Army in the Ballymurphy area of west Belfast will be delivered on May 11, a coroner has announced.
Coroner Mrs Justice Siobhan Keegan presided over fresh inquests for 10 people who were shot dead in three days of shooting in August 1971.
A mother of eight and a Catholic priest were among those killed between August 9-11 in what has become known locally as the Ballymurphy Massacre.
The disputed shootings happening during a turbulent period following the controversial introduction of internment without trial in Northern Ireland - a policy that was met by large-scale disorder.
Violence erupted when the British Army moved into republican strongholds to arrest IRA suspects.
Original inquests in 1972 returned open verdicts. Families of those killed pursed a long campaign for fresh probes to be held.
Northern Ireland's Attorney General directed new inquests in 2011.
They commenced in 2018 and proceedings lasted for 16 months.
Speaking on the announcement of the date of the finding John Teggart, son of Danny Teggart said " I grew up searching for answers of why my daddy was murdered. Families have worked very hard to get to this stage when we will see the results of the many years of campaigning for truth. We have confidence that the coroner's findings will vindicate our loved one's innocence."