THE family of a man shot dead by a British soldier in north Belfast in 1972 have been granted leave by the High Court to challenge the Attorney General’s decision not to grant a fresh inquest.
Thomas Burns was shot as he left Glenpark Social Club on July 12 1972. The father-of-four died the following day.
In 2013, one of the soldiers who saw the shooting told the Historical Enquiries Team (HET) that a statement submitted to the 1973 inquest was not his evidence.
His recollection called into doubt the veracity of statements provided by other soldiers at the time of the original inquest.
Lawyers acting for Mr Burns's daughter, Patricia Burns applied to the Attorney General for a fresh inquest in 2015.
That request was rejected in 2019.
Following the High Court's decision, the case will go for a full hearing.
Patricia Burns said her family are "delighted" by the decision.
"We retain our faith that the courts in Northern Ireland will not let people be treated as second class citizens," she said.
"We need to re-write history for myself, my family, and my children, and most importantly for my daddy."
Nichola Harte, of Harte Coyle Collins, Solicitors & Advocates said: "The rule of law must apply and be upheld."
