A coroner has delivered findings following an inquest into the killing of five people in shootings involving the British Army in west Belfast 50 years ago. The deaths occurred on 9 July 1972 in the Springhill and Westrock areas, with victims including a priest and three teenagers.
Those killed were Father Noel Fitzpatrick, 42, father-of-six Patrick Butler, 38, John Dougal, 16, David McCafferty, 15, and Margaret Gargan, 13. Families and friends gathered at Belfast Coroner’s Court for the long-awaited findings, with some holding a banner reading “time for truth”. Among those present were former Sinn Fein president Gerry Adams and other political figures.
The inquest concluded in April 2024, just before the previous government’s deadline for conflict-related court cases under the Legacy Act. It was the last coronial investigation into Troubles-related deaths completed before the 1 May deadline. The original inquest in 1973 had returned an open verdict, but a fresh inquest was ordered by Northern Ireland’s attorney general in 2014.
Addressing the court, Mr Justice Scoffield apologised to the families for the length of the wait, saying he had taken time to consider matters. In a joint statement, the Butler, Gargan, Dougal and McCafferty families said they “stand together after almost 54 years of grief, loss, and unanswered questions”, maintaining that the victims were innocent civilians and the force used was indiscriminate and unjustified.
