Northern Ireland

Springhill massacre inquest to start next week

An inquest for those who died in the The Springhill Massacre will start on Monday
An inquest for those who died in the The Springhill Massacre will start on Monday

An inquest into the deaths of five Catholic people shot dead by the British army 50 years ago will begin next week.

The victims, including three teenagers and a Catholic priest, died during the Springhill/Westrock Massacre on July 9, 1972.

The dead included Fr Noel Fitzpatrick (42), Paddy Butler (30), 13-year-old Margaret Gargan, John Dougal (16) and 15-year-old David McCafferty.

John Dougal was a member of the Provisional IRA's youth wing while David McCafferty was linked to the Official IRA's.

The victims died as gun battles raged in the area.

Court officials confirmed on Friday that an inquest will begin on Monday at Laganside Court in front of Mr Justice Scoffield.

Known as 'The Springhill Inquest', it is the second to take place and was directed by the Attorney General after an application by relatives.

Padraig Ó Muirigh, of Ó Muirigh Solicitors, who represents some of the families, said on Twitter: "They refused to go away or keep quiet, they never gave up their demand for the truth."