Fresh Ballymurphy Deaths' Probe Welcomed

A West Belfast MP has welcomed the decision by the UK Attorney General to order new inquests into the deaths of 11 people in Ballymurphy in August 1971.

John Larkin has ordered the probe into how the people died when paratroops opened fire in the republican estate.

The victims' families said the decision was an important step in their ongoing campaign for justice after the Army said it opened fire in response to gunfire from republican paramilitaries.

However, the families have carried out a long-running campaign for an independent inquiry into the killings after the victims were shot dead and another man died from what the families claim was a related incident.

Sinn Fein's Paul Maskey (pictured) said: "This is a welcome announcement by the Attorney General and moves the campaign for Justice for the Ballymurphy victims a step closer.

"But while this is an advance in the campaign it should not be seen as fulfilling the demands of the families to a full Independent International Inquiry.

"The call for such an Inquiry has received support from a wide spectrum of human rights organisations and from Bishop Noel Treanor of Down and Conor

"The original Inquests were a cynical exercise in cover-up and smear against the victims who included a Catholic priest and a mother of eight children.

"Eye witnesses evidence was not taken and British Army members statements were prepared in advance and presented to the Judge without any opportunity for cross examination," he claimed, adding that Sinn Fein will continue to support the families in their campaign for justice and for an Independent International Inquiry into the deaths of their loved ones."

The Lagan Valley Alliance MLA Trevor Lunn has said that the decision is a very welcome development.

"This is a very significant day for the families and the wider community. An inquest held under current legislation will be far more demanding than one that was held around 40 years ago. At that time, military witnesses were not compelled to attend but now the power exists to demand their attendance.

"I hope that the inquests can now be arranged without undue delay. This will be the first official investigation into the events of 40 years ago, since the original inquests and investigation by the Royal Military Police, both of which are regarded as totally unsatisfactory.

"This is far from the end of the road but it is a major step forward and will certainly be an encouragement to the relatives," he said, this morning.

(BMcC)