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Daniel Hegarty's family 'overwhelmed' by inquest findings | Daniel Hegarty's family 'overwhelmed' by inquest findings |
(about 2 hours later) | |
The solicitor for the family of a boy shot dead by a soldier almost 40 years ago has said they are "overwhelmed" by the findings of an inquest jury. | The solicitor for the family of a boy shot dead by a soldier almost 40 years ago has said they are "overwhelmed" by the findings of an inquest jury. |
On Friday the jurors unanimously found that 15-year-old Daniel Hegarty posed no risk when he was shot twice in Londonderry during Operation Motorman in July 1972. | On Friday the jurors unanimously found that 15-year-old Daniel Hegarty posed no risk when he was shot twice in Londonderry during Operation Motorman in July 1972. |
His cousin Christopher was also wounded. | His cousin Christopher was also wounded. |
Des Doherty said prosecutions were now a "definite possibility". | Des Doherty said prosecutions were now a "definite possibility". |
"The full rigour of the law has to be applied and it is now of course a matter for the coroner," the solicitor said. | |
"This case was not about vengeance. It was about justice." | "This case was not about vengeance. It was about justice." |
The jury rejected claims that warnings had been shouted to the two teenagers before they were shot. | The jury rejected claims that warnings had been shouted to the two teenagers before they were shot. |
The operation was aimed at reclaiming "no go areas" in the city from the IRA. | The operation was aimed at reclaiming "no go areas" in the city from the IRA. |
Daniel, who was a labourer, was shot twice in the head by a soldier close to his home in Creggan. His cousin Christopher, 16, was shot in the head by the same soldier but survived. | Daniel, who was a labourer, was shot twice in the head by a soldier close to his home in Creggan. His cousin Christopher, 16, was shot in the head by the same soldier but survived. |
The jury found that none of the soldiers present attempted to "approach the injured youths to either search them or provide medical assistance". | The jury found that none of the soldiers present attempted to "approach the injured youths to either search them or provide medical assistance". |
Mr Doherty said the record had now been "set straight". | Mr Doherty said the record had now been "set straight". |
This is the second inquest into Daniel's death. | This is the second inquest into Daniel's death. |
The initial inquest was held in 1973 and recorded an open verdict. A second inquest was ordered by the Attorney General in 2009 following an examination by the Historical Enquiries Team. | The initial inquest was held in 1973 and recorded an open verdict. A second inquest was ordered by the Attorney General in 2009 following an examination by the Historical Enquiries Team. |
The report found that the RUC investigation at the time was "hopelessly inadequate and dreadful". | The report found that the RUC investigation at the time was "hopelessly inadequate and dreadful". |
The inquest opened on Monday and heard from Daniel's sister Margaret Brady. She described how her mother continued to set a place for him at the table and call him for dinner for months after his death. | The inquest opened on Monday and heard from Daniel's sister Margaret Brady. She described how her mother continued to set a place for him at the table and call him for dinner for months after his death. |
In 2007, the British government apologised to the Hegarty family after describing Daniel as a terrorist. | In 2007, the British government apologised to the Hegarty family after describing Daniel as a terrorist. |