Soldier B's Identity to be Revealed in Troubles Shooting Case

Strategic Insights -

The family of Daniel Hegarty, a 15-year-old who was shot and killed by the British Army in 1972, will finally learn the identity of the soldier responsible for his death. After 52 years of waiting, the court has decided to lift the anonymity of Soldier B, who was facing prosecution for Daniel's murder. The development is seen as a major breakthrough in the ongoing civil claim for unlawful killing, with the family's solicitor describing it as a significant step forward.

Key Takeaways:

  • The court has decided to lift the anonymity of Soldier B, who was facing prosecution for Daniel Hegarty's murder.
  • Daniel Hegarty was shot and killed by the British Army in the Creggan area of Derry in July 1972, during Operation Motorman.
  • An inquest jury found in 2011 that Daniel posed no risk and was shot without warning, and that the soldier who killed him had given no warning.
  • Soldier B was facing prosecution for Daniel's murder, but the case was discontinued after the trial of two former paratroopers accused of another Troubles-era killing collapsed.
  • In June last year, senior judges in Belfast quashed the Public Prosecution Service's decision to drop the case against Soldier B.
  • Soldier B died two months later, but his identity will now be revealed to the Hegarty family.
  • The Hegarty family is pursuing a civil action against the Ministry of Defence over the alleged unlawful killing of Daniel Hegarty.
  • Christopher Hegarty, Daniel's cousin, is also suing the Ministry of Defence for personal injury damages.

Statistics:

  • 15: The age of Daniel Hegarty when he was shot and killed by the British Army.
  • 1972: The year Daniel Hegarty was shot and killed.
  • 52: The number of years the Hegarty family has waited for the identity of the soldier responsible for Daniel's death to be revealed.
  • 2011: The year an inquest jury found that Daniel posed no risk and was shot without warning.
  • 7: The number of days the family of Soldier B have asked for a period of grace before his identity is provided to the plaintiff.

Sources:

  • Belfast Telegraph: "Daniel Hegarty: Soldier B's identity to be revealed in Troubles shooting case"
  • Sky News: "Family of Troubles victim welcomed in court as Soldier B's identity revealed"