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The killing of an IRA man who was shot by a British soldier as he ran across a field in Derry in 1972 was unjustified, a coroner has ruled.<\/p>\nThe killing of an IRA man who was shot by a British soldier as he ran across a field in Derry in 1972 was unjustified, a coroner has ruled.<\/p>\n
The shooting of Seamus Bradley, 19, has long been a matter of dispute.<\/p>\n
He was killed by a soldier from the Royal Scots Regiment during Operation Motorman \u2013 an Army attempt to gain control of republican areas in Belfast and Derry that had previously been considered no-go zones for the security forces.<\/p>\n
The Army claimed the teenager was shot while he was in a tree and suffered additional injuries as he fell.<\/p>\n
His family alleged he was killed later, claiming he was taken away in an Army Saracen vehicle and sustained fatal injuries while being interrogated.<\/p>\n
Coroner judge Patrick Kinney rejected both those versions of events as he ruled at Belfast Coroner\u2019s Court.<\/p>\n
He said he was satisfied Mr Bradley was killed by a soldier who got out of a Saracen vehicle, dropped to one knee and opened fire. He said he had not been able to confirm the identity of the soldier.<\/p>\n
He said Mr Bradley was not posing a threat at the time.<\/p>\n
\u201cHe was running across an open area of ground, he had no weapon and he was clearly visible,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe use of force by the solder was entirely disproportionate to any threat that might have been perceived.\u201d<\/p>\n
Outside court Mr Bradley\u2019s family welcomed the verdict.<\/p>\n
His brother Danny, who has long campaigned for a fresh inquest, said he had faced down a threat from the IRA in Derry to pursue the inquest.<\/p>\n
\u201cI am happy with the verdict, very happy with the verdict,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
\u201cAs the judge said, it\u2019s 47 years (later) but it\u2019s a lot better than the last (inquest) verdict. I am happy that I went forward, even with threats from the IRA, and got this situation heard today.\u201d<\/p>\n
Kate Nash, whose brother William was killed by paratroopers on Bloody Sunday, was among those who attended the hearing.<\/p>\n