A GROUP representing victims killed in the Ballymurphy shootings involving the British Army 50 years ago say it "has confidence that the coroner's findings vindicate our loved ones' innocence".
Fresh inquests were held into the deaths of 10 people shot dead over three days in Ballymurphy, west Belfast, in August 1971. A mother-of-eight and a Catholic priest were among those killed between August 9 and 11.
Coroner Mrs Justice Siobhan Keegan said yesterday she will deliver her findings on May 11.
The disputed shootings happened following the controversial introduction of internment in Northern Ireland.
Original inquests in 1972 returned open verdicts. Families of those killed pursued a long campaign for fresh probes to be held.
Northern Ireland's Attorney General directed new inquests in 2011.
The fresh inquests began in 2018 and ran for 16 months, with the final oral evidence heard last March.
Eye witnesses, forensic experts, former Sinn Féin president Gerry Adams and more than 60 former soldiers - including the former head of the army General Sir Mike Jackson - gave evidence at Belfast Coroner's Court during the lengthy proceedings.
The families of those killed contend they were innocent, unarmed civilians shot by soldiers without justification.
Barristers for the Ministry of Defence (MoD) argued the soldiers from the Parachute Regiment only ever opened fire when they perceived they were under threat.
The narrative became further clouded in 2018 when the UVF claimed their gunmen had also taken part.
John Teggart, whose father Danny Teggart was among those killed, said the Ballymurphy families had travelled a long and difficult road to secure new inquests.
He said families had endured 100 days of evidence in court, including details of their loved ones' injuries and exactly how they died.
"I grew up searching for answers of why my daddy was murdered," he said.
"Families have worked very hard to get to this stage when we will see the results of the many years of campaigning for truth.
"We have confidence that the coroner's findings will vindicate our loved ones' innocence."
Mr Teggart said the group was mindful that many family members, campaigners and eye witnesses had died. He said the group's thoughts are with their families.
As well as the 10 who suffered fatal gunshot wounds in the Ballymurphy shootings, another man died of a heart attack following an alleged violent confrontation with the troops.
The new inquests only focused on the ten shooting deaths.
