Ballymurphy verdict a victory for families
Labour Party Leader Alan Kelly has welcomed the outcome of inquest by Justice Siobhan Keegan into the killing of 10 innocent people in Ballymurphy nearly fifty years ago and urged the British government to honour the Stormont House Agreement.
Deputy Kelly said:
“There was no justification for the killing of 10 people in Ballymurphy in 1971 and I welcome the findings by Justice Keegan that they were innocent. They and their families are in our thoughts today which has been a long time coming.
“This is a victory for the families and their long running campaign. The findings that there was a disproportionate use of force is long overdue.
“It is however disappointing that this verdict comes at the same time as the UK government intends to proceed with breaching the 2014 Stormont House Agreement by providing an amnesty to soldiers accused of crimes in Northern Ireland.
“In the weeks ahead I hope the British government will take on board today’s findings, and engage again, collectively to find a more constructive way forward that honours previous agreements.”