Former British paratroopers on trial for 1972 killing of Official IRA commander
The Historical Enquiries Team said in 2013 that Joe McCann s actions did not amount to the level of specific threat which could have justified the soldiers opening fire.
IrishCentral Staff
Apr 27, 2021
April 26, 2021: Joe McCann s family members and their legal team arrive as the trial begins of two former British paratroopers charged with the murder of Official IRA man Joe McCann at Belfast Laganside Courts in Belfast, Northern Ireland. The trial is expected to last for four weeks. Getty Images
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Ex-paratroopers deny 1972 murder of Official IRA man eveningtelegraph.co.uk - get the latest breaking news, showbiz & celebrity photos, sport news & rumours, viral videos and top stories from eveningtelegraph.co.uk Daily Mail and Mail on Sunday newspapers.
Two former paratroopers will appear before a court in Belfast later, charged with the murder of a man almost 50 years ago.
Official IRA man Joe McCann, 24, died after being shot in the Markets area of Belfast in 1972.
The veterans are referred to in court proceedings as soldiers A and C.
Joe McCann (McCann family/PA)
They will remain anonymous during the trial, which is expected to last for four weeks at Belfast Crown Court.
It is one of a number of legacy cases, referring to incidents which took place before the signing of the Belfast Agreement in 1998, on which Northern Ireland’s Public Prosecution Service has taken decisions.
Two former paratroopers deny murdering a man in Northern Ireland almost 50 years ago, a court has heard.
Official IRA member Joe McCann, 24, died after being shot in the Markets area of Belfast in 1972.
The veterans, referred to in court proceedings as Soldiers A and C, entered not guilty pleas at the start of their trial at Belfast Crown Court on Monday.
They will remain anonymous throughout the proceedings.
Opening the case, a prosecution lawyer told the court that Mr McCann was a senior member of the Official IRA who was suspected of involvement in a number of attacks carried out by the republican group.
Joe McCann, 24, died after being shot in the Markets area of Belfast in April, 1972.
The two veterans, known as soldiers A and C, appeared in Belfast Crown Court on Monday at the opening of their murder trial.
At the outset of proceedings, the two formally entered not guilty pleas.
Opening the case, a prosecution lawyer told the court that Mr McCann was a senior member of the Official IRA who was suspected of involvement in a number of attacks on security forces carried out by the republican group.
He said the shooting on Joy Street took place after an RUC Special Branch Officer attempted to arrest Mr McCann. Mr McCann evaded detention and ran away.