Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer has apologised on behalf of the UK Government to the families of five people shot dead by British soldiers in west Belfast in 1972. The apology follows a coroner's conclusion in April that the soldiers “did not use reasonable force” in the shootings at Springhill/Westrock on July 9 1972.
The victims included Catholic priest Father Noel Fitzpatrick, 42, father-of-six Patrick Butler, 38, and teenagers David McCafferty and Margaret Gargan, all of whom were unarmed and posed no risk when shot. The coroner, Mr Justice Scoffield, could not conclude whether 16-year-old John Dougal was armed but said he was likely running away when shot in the back.
In a written apology to the families and a formal statement in the House of Commons on Wednesday, Sir Keir said the Government accepts and deeply regrets the findings. “On behalf of the Government, I want to apologise unreservedly to the families for what happened and for the grief and trauma that they have endured,” he said.
First Minister Michelle O’Neill welcomed the apology as “an important acknowledgement” but stressed that “nothing can undo the pain and loss”. She called on the Government to end its “cruel and cynical approach to legacy” and to prioritise victims over state forces.
