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Government 'regret' at NI death 'Regret' over NI checkpoint death
(about 2 hours later)
The British government is expected to express its "deep regret" later at the death of a Tyrone man shot at an army checkpoint over 20 years ago. The British government has expressed "deep regret" at the death of a Tyrone man shot by a soldier 21 years ago.
Aidan McAnespie, 24, who had no criminal record, was shot by a soldier as he walked through a border checkpoint at Aughnacloy in 1988. Aidan McAnespie, 24, was killed as he walked through a border checkpoint at Aughnacloy in February 1988.
Secretary of State Shaun Woodward is to acknowledge the "pain and suffering" of Mr McAnespie's parents. NI Secretary of State Shaun Woodward said the government recognised the "suffering" of the McAnespie family.
Mr McAnespie was walking to a GAA match when he was shot. "It is a matter of deep regret that Aidan was killed by a bullet fired by a soldier which ricocheted from the road," he said.
The soldier who fired the fatal shots claimed that his hands were wet, causing him to accidentally fire the machine-gun when he was moving it inside a sanger. The statement was co-signed by the Defence Secretary Bob Ainsworth.
A PSNI Historical Enquiries Team report released last year called this the "least likely version" of what happened. The soldier who fired the fatal shot claimed his hands were wet, causing him to accidentally fire the machine-gun when he was moving it inside a sanger.
However, a PSNI Historical Enquiries Team (HET) report released last year called this the "least likely version" of what happened.
Members of Mr McAnespie's family met the secretary of state within the last week to discuss the HET report.
"Given the findings of the HET report we find it highly significant and positive that the Minister of Defence has co-signed this public statement along with the Northern Ireland Secretary," Mr McAnespie's niece Una McCabe said.
"For years we have fought for truth and acknowledgement.
Since part of the objectives of the HET is to bring solace and comfort to families and loved ones, we hope this will be the case for Aidan's family Shaun Woodward
"The HET report, in our view, represents the closest that we as a family have got to the truth of what occurred that day.
"The meeting with Shaun Woodward is the acknowledgement at official level that was missing."
Mr Woodward said it was not for the government either to accept or comment on the specific HET findings.
"However, in overall terms the government endorses its work and has confidence in the HET's professionalism and thoroughness.
"Since part of the objectives of the HET is to bring solace and comfort to families and loved ones, we hope this will be the case for Aidan's family."
Forensic evidence had suggested the fatal shot ricocheted off the road.Forensic evidence had suggested the fatal shot ricocheted off the road.
The soldier was charged with manslaughter, but this was later withdrawn.The soldier was charged with manslaughter, but this was later withdrawn.
He was later fined for negligent discharge of a weapon and given a medical discharge from the army.He was later fined for negligent discharge of a weapon and given a medical discharge from the army.