Northern Ireland

Man tells Ballymurphy inquest he was shot by soldiers as an 11-year-old boy

Ballymurphy families arrive at court for the inquest at Laganside Court. Picture by Mal McCann.
Ballymurphy families arrive at court for the inquest at Laganside Court. Picture by Mal McCann. Ballymurphy families arrive at court for the inquest at Laganside Court. Picture by Mal McCann.

A MAN shot as an 11-year-old child has told the Ballymurphy inquest how he was hit as he made a run for safety across a field.

Edward Butler also told the inquest in Belfast yesterday how he saw an injured youth being shot dead at close range by a British soldier as he cried out in pain.

His brother Martin, then aged 9, claimed he saw soldiers shooting a further three people near pillars at the Henry Taggart Army base.

The statements outlining the events of August 9, 1971 were given by the men, who then lived in the Westrock area.

Edward Butler was shot in the leg that day and spent almost seven months in hospital. He was unable to walk for a year and told the court he still has difficulty with his right leg.

The court heard the boys had been at their aunt's house, just opposite the barracks, when rioting broke out.

They had been told to go straight home but had stopped to watch what was happening.

However, as the rioting intensified, they became frightened and decided to head home via the Manse field.

Mr Butler said: "We were cutting across the field when the shooting started and we hit the deck. We could see red dots flying over our heads. They were shooting from the Henry Taggart barracks.

"There was a man told us to come into a ditch. We were probably there for about an hour or two.

"I heard a young man saying he had been shot and I heard other people moaning."

It was at this stage Mr Butler said he saw soldiers getting out of a Saracen and throwing inured people into the back of it.

"They lifted a young fella of about 18 or 20. The soldiers dropped him then and he was crying. One of the soldiers pulled out a gun and said 'F--- up, you c---' and shot him once or twice towards the chest. There was no sound from him after that.

"We were really frightened and I knew we needed to get away soon."

Edward Butler made a break for cover first but as he did he heard two cracks and "went straight down".

"The whole right hand side of my leg was covered in blood. I started squealing," he said.

Mr Butler told the court how people in a nearby house helped get him inside and treated him and he was taken to the Royal Victoria Hospital.

His father brought him back to say thank you a year later when he was able to walk again.

His brother Martin said he had a clear view of what was happening. "The Saracen reversed in and I could see the driver's head. He took out his gun and shot a fella at the first post. He dropped to the ground," he said.

"The soldier in the passenger seat shot two guys at the other post."

When questioned about their recall of events, both men said they were completely sure there was no shooting coming from the Manse field and that no-one in the field was armed.

Earlier, there were upsetting scenes in court as witness Margaret Elmore gave evidence about the shooting of mother-of-eight Joan Connolly who had gone out to look for her daughters.

Mrs Elmore lived nearby and had thumped the window at Mrs Connolly and a man who were taking cover beside her house to tell them to stay down.

Relatives of Mrs Connolly were in tears as description of her injuries and final moments were relayed to the court.