Update on the tracing of soldiers involved in Ballymurphy Massacre
Posted by john in
“Three things cannot be long hidden: the sun, the moon, and the truth.” Buddha
The Ballymurphy Families were in court today 11th October 2018 for an update on the tracing and identification of soldiers involved in the Ballymurphy Massacre. This has been a running issues since the inquests reopened in November 2010, the MOD have used every trick in the book to stall and block the inquests even presenting the court with 4773 soldiers names 6 days before the inquests started, all this was designed to do was swamp the court and stall the inquests. Families learned today in court that the list didn’t even include information that would identify if soldiers served in Ballymurphy at the time.
Mr McDonald QC for the Murphy Family raised concerns that the deadline for receiving military statements had passed weeks ago and that a “cut off” time should be issued. After that subpoenas should be issued to soldier who are not cooperating to compel them to attend the inquest.
Justice Keegan agreed that a cut off time should be put in place and that other options could be considered including adverse inference should soldiers refuse to attend. Council for the corner Mr Doran accepted that the court would have to consider issuing subpoenas to those who are reluctant to cooperate.
The corners office wrote to Regimental Associations, including the Parachute Regiment and the Queen Regiment asking them to provide information. Today families learned, in correspondence to the court, that the regimental association refused to provide information on the basis that the data protection legislation would “act as a barrier” to releasing information. Council for the coroner Mr Doran told the court that a response had been drafted that would “take issue “with that suggestion. No surprise there that the regimental associations are up to the same tactics as the MOD anything to stall the process.
Families will be in court again next Wednesday 17th October 2018 12 noon.
