Northern Ireland

Patrick McElhone: First of fresh Troubles-related inquests to be heard this month

An inquest into the death of 24-year-old Patrick McElhone is to begin at Omagh Courthouse on November 30
An inquest into the death of 24-year-old Patrick McElhone is to begin at Omagh Courthouse on November 30 An inquest into the death of 24-year-old Patrick McElhone is to begin at Omagh Courthouse on November 30

The death of a man with special needs who was shot dead by the British army near his Co Tyrone home in 1974 is to be re-examined in the first of a series of fresh inquests into Troubles-related killings.

The inquest into the death of 24-year-old Patrick McElhone is to begin at Omagh Courthouse on November 30.

The farmer was unarmed when he was shot by a British army patrol near his home in Limehill, Pomeroy, on August 7.

Dozens of fresh inquests are to be held into killings carried out during the Troubles as part of a plan by Lord Chief Justice Sir Declan Morgan.

The Department of Justice plans to release £55 million over six years to deal with 52 legacy inquests involving 93 deaths between the 1970s and 2000.

Mr McElhone's inquest, which is expected to last a week, will be heard by presiding coroner Mrs Justice Siobhan Keegan.

A preliminary hearing took place remotely in September.

Many people called to give evidence are expected to do so via video-link, due to the ongoing coronavirus pandemic.