ANGERED Ballymurphy families hit out at Boris Johnson today following the PM’s “botched” apology for the killings of 10 innocent civilians.
The families were left fuming after receiving a letter from Mr Johnson that downplayed the killings 50 years ago as “events.”
Coroner Ms Justice Keegan found on Tuesday that those who died in Belfast on August 1971 were “entirely innocent.”
She found that nine of the 10 had been killed by soldiers and that their use of lethal force was not justified.
In his letter, the Prime Minister said: “I unequivocally accept the findings of the coroner.
“Those who died over that terrible period were innocent of any wrongdoing.
Boris Johnson’s letter to Ballymurphy families ‘unacceptable’
The families solicitor, Pádraig Ó Muirigh, broke down as he read out Mr Johnson’s letter, saying he had been left upset by the “disgraceful conduct” of the Prime Minister.
John Teggart, son of Daniel Teggart, who was among those killed in the series of shootings in Ballymurphy, Belfast, between August 9-11, 1971, speaks to the media alongside other families of people who were killed, holding a letter from Prime Minister Boris Johnson. Picture: Brian Lawless/PA Wire
Thu, 13 May, 2021 - 15:53
Jonathan McCambridge and David Young
The Ballymurphy families have received a letter from the British Prime Minister in which Boris Johnson expressed his personal sorrow for the “terrible hurt that has been caused” by the deaths of 10 innocent civilians 50 years ago.
A Northern Ireland veteran could face criminal charges over the Ballymurphy massacre 50 years ago.
The former paratrooper, known only as M3, killed builder Edward Doherty in August 1971, a judge said this week.
It came on the day the government vowed to bring in law to protect soldiers from the conflict being dragged to court during the Queen s Speech.
On Tuesday, coroner Mrs Justice Keegan found those who died in Belfast in the August 1971 violence were entirely innocent .
She found nine of the 10 had been killed by soldiers and the use of lethal force was not justified.
Boris Johnson today sent a letter to the families of the Ballymurphy victims recognising the terrible hurt caused .
British former prime minister Tony Blair called Wednesday for a truth and reconciliation commission for Northern Ireland to address historical crimes on both sides of "The Troubles". Modelled on South Africa's post-apartheid experience, the commission would be a better approach than endless recriminations in court prosecutions, Blair indicated, a day after a coroner's inquest heavily criticised British troops over 10 deaths in 1971. "Obviously I.