Menu
27/07/2009
'Deep Regret' Over NI Checkpoint Death
The British government has expressed its "deep regret" at the death of Aiden McAnespie, who was shot at an army checkpoint in Co Tyrone, 21 years ago.
Mr McAnespie, 24, was shot by a soldier as he walked through a border checkpoint at Aughnacloy in February 1998.
Northern Ireland Secretary of State Shaun Woodward (pictured here) acknowledged the "pain and suffering" of Mr McAnespie's family.
He said: "It is a matter of deep regret that Aidan was killed by a bullet fired by a soldier which ricocheted from the road."
The soldier who fired the fatal shots claimed his hands were wet, causing him to accidentally fire the machine-gun when he was moving it inside a sanger.
However, the PSNI Historical Enquiries Team (HET) report on the shooting found that the version of events offered by the army was the "least likely" explanation of what happened.
Members of Mr McAnespie's family met the Secretary of State recently to discuss the HET report. The family were accompanied by Sinn Féin MP Michelle Gildernew, Fianna Fail Senator Mary White and Paul O'Connor of the Pat Finucane Centre.
Mr McAnespie's niece, Una McCabe, said: "Given the findings of the HET report we find it highly significant and positive that the Minister of Defence has co-signed this public statement along with the Northern Ireland Secretary.
"The HET report, in our view, represents the closest that we as a family have got to the truth of what occurred that day
"The meeting with Shaun Woodward is the acknowledgement at official level that was missing."
Ms McCabe said for years the family have "fought for truth and acknowledgment".
She thanked everyone who had supported them over the years.
Mr Woodward said it was not for the government to accept or comment on the specific HET findings.
"However, in overall terms the government endorses its work and has confidence in the HET's professionalism and thoroughness."
He said: "Since part of the objectives of the HET is to bring solace and comfort to families and loved ones, we hope this will be the case for Aidan's family."
(GK/BMcc)
Mr McAnespie, 24, was shot by a soldier as he walked through a border checkpoint at Aughnacloy in February 1998.
Northern Ireland Secretary of State Shaun Woodward (pictured here) acknowledged the "pain and suffering" of Mr McAnespie's family.
He said: "It is a matter of deep regret that Aidan was killed by a bullet fired by a soldier which ricocheted from the road."
The soldier who fired the fatal shots claimed his hands were wet, causing him to accidentally fire the machine-gun when he was moving it inside a sanger.
However, the PSNI Historical Enquiries Team (HET) report on the shooting found that the version of events offered by the army was the "least likely" explanation of what happened.
Members of Mr McAnespie's family met the Secretary of State recently to discuss the HET report. The family were accompanied by Sinn Féin MP Michelle Gildernew, Fianna Fail Senator Mary White and Paul O'Connor of the Pat Finucane Centre.
Mr McAnespie's niece, Una McCabe, said: "Given the findings of the HET report we find it highly significant and positive that the Minister of Defence has co-signed this public statement along with the Northern Ireland Secretary.
"The HET report, in our view, represents the closest that we as a family have got to the truth of what occurred that day
"The meeting with Shaun Woodward is the acknowledgement at official level that was missing."
Ms McCabe said for years the family have "fought for truth and acknowledgment".
She thanked everyone who had supported them over the years.
Mr Woodward said it was not for the government to accept or comment on the specific HET findings.
"However, in overall terms the government endorses its work and has confidence in the HET's professionalism and thoroughness."
He said: "Since part of the objectives of the HET is to bring solace and comfort to families and loved ones, we hope this will be the case for Aidan's family."
(GK/BMcc)
Related Northern Ireland News Stories
Click here for the latest headlines.
27 September 2012
RUC Did Not Do Enough: HET
A report into the shooting of two men by the UVF 20 years ago has concluded the RUC did not do enough to prevent their murders, according to the BBC. Kevin McKearney and his uncle Jack McKearney were shot by loyalist paramilitaries at their family shop in County Tyrone in 1992.
RUC Did Not Do Enough: HET
A report into the shooting of two men by the UVF 20 years ago has concluded the RUC did not do enough to prevent their murders, according to the BBC. Kevin McKearney and his uncle Jack McKearney were shot by loyalist paramilitaries at their family shop in County Tyrone in 1992.
18 June 2015
Families To Challenge HET Report Into McGurk's Bar Bombing
Families of victims killed in one of Northern Ireland's worst atrocities have been granted permission to challenge a report into the bombing quashed. Fifteen people were killed in a UVF bomb attack on McGurk's Bar In December 1971. The relatives were in the High Court to challenge the Historical Enquiries Team (HET) review.
Families To Challenge HET Report Into McGurk's Bar Bombing
Families of victims killed in one of Northern Ireland's worst atrocities have been granted permission to challenge a report into the bombing quashed. Fifteen people were killed in a UVF bomb attack on McGurk's Bar In December 1971. The relatives were in the High Court to challenge the Historical Enquiries Team (HET) review.
04 July 2013
HET Report 'Raises Serious Issues' - Ford
Justice Minister David Ford has said an inspection of the Historical Enquiries Team that showed it treated killings involving the State less seriously than killings not involving the State raises "serious and important issues". The report was commissioned by the Minister following a request by Chief Constable Matt Baggott last year.
HET Report 'Raises Serious Issues' - Ford
Justice Minister David Ford has said an inspection of the Historical Enquiries Team that showed it treated killings involving the State less seriously than killings not involving the State raises "serious and important issues". The report was commissioned by the Minister following a request by Chief Constable Matt Baggott last year.
17 June 2011
Kingmills Massacre Families 'Disturbed'
Families of those killed in the IRA Kingsmills Massacre have received a preview of the report into the bloody murders of their loved ones after an investigation by the Historical Enquiries Team (HET).
Kingmills Massacre Families 'Disturbed'
Families of those killed in the IRA Kingsmills Massacre have received a preview of the report into the bloody murders of their loved ones after an investigation by the Historical Enquiries Team (HET).
08 July 2011
Victim's Family 'Unhappy' With Murder Inquiry
The family of a young mother who was shot dead by the IRA thirty years ago have expressed their concerns about the inquiry into her murder. Joanne Mathers, a 29-year-old mother-of-one, was shot dead as she collected census forms in the Waterside area of Londonderry in 1981.
Victim's Family 'Unhappy' With Murder Inquiry
The family of a young mother who was shot dead by the IRA thirty years ago have expressed their concerns about the inquiry into her murder. Joanne Mathers, a 29-year-old mother-of-one, was shot dead as she collected census forms in the Waterside area of Londonderry in 1981.
-
Northern Ireland WeatherToday:The day will be very windy with strong to gale force westerly winds becoming occasionally severe along the north coast. Sunny spells will be interspersed with scattered showers. Maximum temperature 8 °C.Tonight:West to northwest gale force winds, severe along the north coast, will continue overnight. Frequent showers persist, merging into longer periods of rain at times and turning wintry. Minimum temperature 1 °C.
