Northern Ireland

Mother of murdered north Belfast teenage Peter McBride has died

Jean McBride passed away on Monday. Picture from Wave Centre
Jean McBride passed away on Monday. Picture from Wave Centre Jean McBride passed away on Monday. Picture from Wave Centre

A MOTHER who "never gave up in trying to achieve justice for her son" after he was shot dead by the British army in north Belfast almost 30 years ago has died.

Jean McBride, whose son Peter (18) was killed in September 1992, passed away yesterday morning.

It is understood she was aged in her late 60s.

Paul O'Connor from the Pat Finucane Centre, who worked alongside Ms McBride as she sought justice, last night paid tribute to an "incredibly courageous campaigner".

"She ensured that Peter's name was never forgotten and lost," he said.

Peter, a father-of-two, was killed by two Scots Guards on patrol near his New Lodge home. They pursued him having stopped him at a checkpoint.

Teenager Peter McBride (18) was killed in the New Lodge Road area of north Belfast in September l992
Teenager Peter McBride (18) was killed in the New Lodge Road area of north Belfast in September l992 Teenager Peter McBride (18) was killed in the New Lodge Road area of north Belfast in September l992

He was unarmed and the soldiers’ claims that he had a bomb were dismissed in court.

Two soldiers - Mark Wright and James Fisher - were convicted of his murder and sentenced to life imprisonment. But they were released in 1998, just days before the sixth anniversary of Peter's death, following a high profile campaign to see them set free.

There was further controversy on their release from prison when they were allowed to rejoin their regiment and resume their military careers because of what an army board described as "exceptional circumstances".

Mr O'Connor last night said that Ms McBride was dedicated to seeing her son's name was "never forgotten".

Scots Guardsmen Mark Wright and James Fisher who were convicted of the 1992 murder of Peter McBride
Scots Guardsmen Mark Wright and James Fisher who were convicted of the 1992 murder of Peter McBride Scots Guardsmen Mark Wright and James Fisher who were convicted of the 1992 murder of Peter McBride

"Jean McBride was an incredibly courageous campaigner, she never gave up in trying to achieve justice for her son," he said.

"She was very badly let down by successive governments, both Labour and Conservative.

"But she continued her campaign and I accompanied her on many occasions to Dublin and London and she never gave up.

"She ensured that Peter's name was never forgotten and lost.

"My heart goes out to her family at this very sad time."