THE widow of Sean Downes, who was killed after being struck by a plastic bullet fired by an RUC officer, has criticised British government legacy plans.
Mr Downes (22), who was known as John to his family, died after being hit by a plastic bullet during a republican anti-internment rally in west Belfast in 1984.
His family has launched a legal challenge over a decision by the attorney general to turn down a request for a fresh inquest.
His widow Brenda Downes last night slammed recently announced British government plans to introduce a Troubles amnesty and end civil proceedings and inquests.
The controversial plans were revealed by Secretary of State Brandon Lewis earlier this month.
The killing of her husband, who was a former republican prisoner, caused widespread anger in the nationalist community as Mr Downes was unarmed when he was shot in the chest at close range.
He was struck after a major RUC operation was put in place ahead of the rally in a bid to stop former Noraid publicity director Martin Galvin, who was banned from entering the north, from making an appearance.
In September 1986 RUC reservist Nigel Hegarty was found not guilty of manslaughter.
In recent years concerns have been raised about the role of informer Denis Donaldson in events leading up to the August 1984 killing.
He was shot dead in Co Donegal in 2006.
"By removing the option of an inquest, the British government are essentially signalling their intention to pull the curtain down on my decades long attempt to secure justice for my husband," Mrs Downes said.
"Contrary to what Brandon Lewis has stated, this is not the time to ‘draw a line under the past’, in fact the British government and judiciary have tried to draw a line under my husband’s death since 1984."
She said she will continue to demand "an inquest into the unlawful killing of my husband".
Her legal representative Ciaran Cunningham, of Brentnall Legal, echoed his client's concern.
“We are now very concerned that British government plans for a statute of limitations in relation to deaths inflicted by the security forces here will directly effect and prevent Brenda, and countless others from seeing not only criminal convictions but, in our client’s case, wider judicial recognition of the unlawful taking of innocent life," he said.
A UK government spokesman said: "The government is committed to continuing engagement with a range of stakeholders, including victims groups, to find a way forward on legacy issues that focuses on reconciliation, delivers better outcomes for victims and ends the cycle of investigations that is not working for anyone."
- This article was amended on July 29
