THE family of a former British soldier shot dead by troops in Newry almost 50 years ago say they want the military to admit their guilt.
Robert Anderson (25) was one of three Catholic men killed during the same incident in Newry in October 1971.
The other two men were Sean Ruddy (19) and Thomas James McLaughlin (27), who was a father-of-two.
All three had all been drinking in the same pub the night they had died.
Mr Anderson's family say that although they left the premises around the same time the men were not together.
A short time later they were shot by British soldiers from the Light Infantry who were lying in wait for an IRA bomb team.
It has been reported that as the men made their along a street close to the town's cathedral an attempt was made to steal cash as a drop off was being made at a bank night safe.
A Historical Enquiries Team report into Mr Anderson's death says the evidence does not point to the attempted robbery being "pre-planned".
Mr Anderson's family say he was not involved in the attempted robbery.
The soldiers who were watching from the roof of a Woolworths store, waiting for an IRA bomb team expected to target a bank, opened fire on the men killing them.
Mr Anderson's heartbroken mother Eileen Riley died just months later.
A former British soldier, Mr Anderson came from a family with strong military ties and his brothers also served.
His niece Michelle Osborne said her mother Bernadyne Casey, a sister of Mr Anderson, wants military chiefs to admit responsibility for his death.
"If you peel it back they (killed) one of their own," she said.
"They didn't stop to ask him a question.
"Mammy wants an admission of guilt, if she died before that case I will take the fight on."
Ms Osborne said the killing of her uncle had a big impact on her wider family with several members leaving Ireland.
She added that her mother was not reunited with one of her brothers for 38 years as a result.
Ms Osborne claimed that her parents also came in for abuse from members of the police and army years after the shooting.
She hopes that attempts by the British government to introduce an effective amnesty for military and other Troubles related killings "does not mean an amnesty for the MoD (Ministry of Defence).
The family's solicitor Gavin Booth, of Phoenix Law, last night appealed "for anyone with any information" to come forward
"This was unjustified and unjustifiable," he said.
"These events are etched in the minds of the people of Newry and this family deserves justice."
Sinn Féin MLA Conor Murphy said he supported Mr Anderson's family.
"This happened many, many years ago and they have been pursuing the truth around what happened," he said.
"They have obviously opted to take this forward through the legal process and I support them.
"I would hope anybody who has information or knowledge of that night would bring it forward to the family.
"There are questions at the moment about legacy processes but families have the right to justice."
The Ministry of Defence has been contacted for a response.
