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| Version 3 | Version 4 |
|---|---|
| Ballymurphy Army killings: Villiers rules out independent review | Ballymurphy Army killings: Villiers rules out independent review |
| (about 4 hours later) | |
| A call for an independent panel to examine the deaths of 11 people in Belfast in August 1971 has been rejected by the NI Secretary. | A call for an independent panel to examine the deaths of 11 people in Belfast in August 1971 has been rejected by the NI Secretary. |
| Families of 10 people shot dead by the parachute regiment in Ballymurphy in August that year, had been pressing Teresa Villiers on the issue. | Families of 10 people shot dead by the parachute regiment in Ballymurphy in August that year, had been pressing Teresa Villiers on the issue. |
| An 11th person died of a heart attack after allegedly confronting soldiers. | An 11th person died of a heart attack after allegedly confronting soldiers. |
| Ms Villiers said the balance of public interest "does not favour establishing an independent review". | Ms Villiers said the balance of public interest "does not favour establishing an independent review". |
| "I do not believe that such a review would provide answers which are not already in the public domain or covered by existing legal processes," she said. | "I do not believe that such a review would provide answers which are not already in the public domain or covered by existing legal processes," she said. |
| "In reaching this decision, I have sought to balance the strong and clear views of the families with the need to ensure that existing legal mechanisms can continue to carry out their functions without being impeded by an additional process." | "In reaching this decision, I have sought to balance the strong and clear views of the families with the need to ensure that existing legal mechanisms can continue to carry out their functions without being impeded by an additional process." |
| In a statement, the Ballymurphy families said they were "shocked and outraged" at the government's response. | In a statement, the Ballymurphy families said they were "shocked and outraged" at the government's response. |
| "We have led our campaign for truth and justice in a dignified but determined manner and deserve the opportunity to have the innocence of our loved ones proven," they said. | "We have led our campaign for truth and justice in a dignified but determined manner and deserve the opportunity to have the innocence of our loved ones proven," they said. |
| "We feel that the Conservative-led British government is treating us in a disrespectful and shameful manner. | "We feel that the Conservative-led British government is treating us in a disrespectful and shameful manner. |
| Legal challenge | Legal challenge |
| "We have demonstrated flexibility in that our proposed approach is not a 'costly and lengthy public inquiry'. It is a tried, tested and cost effective model." | "We have demonstrated flexibility in that our proposed approach is not a 'costly and lengthy public inquiry'. It is a tried, tested and cost effective model." |
| The families said that they may legally challenge Ms Villiers decision. | |
| The families wanted a seven-member panel to examine all documents and papers. | The families wanted a seven-member panel to examine all documents and papers. |
| They wanted it to be modelled on the one that examined the 1989 Hillsborough disaster. Then, 96 people lost their lives during Liverpool's FA Cup semi-final against Nottingham Forest. | They wanted it to be modelled on the one that examined the 1989 Hillsborough disaster. Then, 96 people lost their lives during Liverpool's FA Cup semi-final against Nottingham Forest. |
| They proposed that it would be chaired by former Northern Ireland police ombudsman Nuala O'Loan and funded by the British and Irish governments. | They proposed that it would be chaired by former Northern Ireland police ombudsman Nuala O'Loan and funded by the British and Irish governments. |
| Ivan Lewis, shadow secretary of state for Northern Ireland, said: "The Ballymurphy families have waited too long to learn the truth about the killing of their loved ones and they will be disappointed by Theresa Villiers decision. They have a right to the truth and justice which has been denied to them for too long." | |
| Mr Lewis said he would be meeting with the families in the weeks ahead to "consider the best way forward". | |
| Taoiseach (Irish prime minister) Enda Kenny met the Ballymurphy families in Dublin in January and said he was "disappointed" that Ms Villiers had turned down their request. | Taoiseach (Irish prime minister) Enda Kenny met the Ballymurphy families in Dublin in January and said he was "disappointed" that Ms Villiers had turned down their request. |
| "I told the families that the government supported their case, and that I intend to visit Ballymurphy and meet with the families there during a future visit to Belfast," he said. | "I told the families that the government supported their case, and that I intend to visit Ballymurphy and meet with the families there during a future visit to Belfast," he said. |
| "Following our meeting in January, I wrote to Prime Minister Cameron asking that the families request for a limited review be granted. I also raised the matter with him at our meeting in London on 11 March. | "Following our meeting in January, I wrote to Prime Minister Cameron asking that the families request for a limited review be granted. I also raised the matter with him at our meeting in London on 11 March. |
| "Consequently, I am disappointed with today's news, which I know will come as a blow to the families." | "Consequently, I am disappointed with today's news, which I know will come as a blow to the families." |
| Members of the Parachute Regiment claimed they opened fire after being shot at by republicans during Operation Demetrius, when people suspected of paramilitary activity were interned. | Members of the Parachute Regiment claimed they opened fire after being shot at by republicans during Operation Demetrius, when people suspected of paramilitary activity were interned. |
| A Catholic priest and a mother-of-eight were among those killed over a three-day period. | A Catholic priest and a mother-of-eight were among those killed over a three-day period. |
| After an application from the families the attorney general directed the coroner to re-open inquests into the deaths in November 2011. | After an application from the families the attorney general directed the coroner to re-open inquests into the deaths in November 2011. |