Two former police officers will not be prosecuted over fatal shootings in Belfast 50 years ago.
The first child to be killed in the Troubles, Patrick Rooney, nine, along with 20-year-old Hugh McCabe and Samuel McLarnon, 28, died in separate incidents amid significant civil disorder in Belfast on August 15, 1969.
Two individuals were reported to the PPS over the deaths of Patrick and Mr McCabe.
However PPS assistant director Lynne Carlin said following careful consideration of the files by experienced prosecutors, it was concluded that there is “no reasonable prospect of conviction for any offence”.
The family of Patrick Rooney and their legal team have said they will study the reasons detailed by the PPS for the decision not to prosecute, and will also pursue separate civil proceedings against the PSNI Chief Constable Simon Byrne.
Mr Rooney’s brother Con said: “The RUC have literally gotten away with the murder of a nine-year-old child. Thirteen homes in the Divis Flats were shot up that night yet not one officer had the courage to admit to this, even when ballistics evidence and witnesses proved their accounts were false. I am very disappointed for my family, in particular my mother and late father who campaigned tirelessly for justice for Patrick.”
Fearghal Shiels of Madden & Finucane Solicitors added: “We will study the reasons given for today’s decision closely with the family and assess their options, and shall press ahead with separate civil proceedings against the Chief Constable.”
A solicitor representing the family of Samuel McLarnon said they are disappointed that there will be no prosecution.
Padraig O Muirigh said the family continue to dispute the RUC’s version of events that they were fired on first, and will be pursuing a fresh inquest and are also considering civil proceedings against the PSNI.
“To date there has never been a thorough public examination of this death. The original inquest was deeply flawed and did not hear evidence from the available civilian witnesses. Despite the prima facie consideration of the facts and circumstances of this shooting the Scarman Tribunal was also manifestly insufficient in providing an adequate investigation or authoritative account of the role of police in this death,” he said.
“The McLarnon family will be considering a further application to the Attorney General to request a fresh inquest into the circumstances of his death.
“They will also be considering legal proceedings against the PSNI in relation to the role of Officer G in the death of Mr McLarnon.”
Victims group Relatives For Justice have criticised the decision not to prosecute over the fatal shootings.
“Today’s news that due to passage of time there will be no prosecutions in the killings of three civilians by the RUC in 1969 is the price of justice delayed – it truly is justice denied,” it said in a statement.
“Today’s shame should motivate all actors, especially the British Government, to move immediately and implement human rights-compliant mechanisms to deal with the past so no more families face this appalling vista.”