Menu
24/01/2014
Inquest Ordered Into 1973 Rubber Bullet Death
A fresh inquest has been granted by the Attorney General into the death of a 21-year-old man who was struck by a rubber bullet while returning from a night out in L'Derry.
On 18 May 1973 Thomas Friel was hit by the bullet in the Creggan area of the city and died four days later.
The Attorney General has now ordered a fresh inquest to examine the circumstances of Mr Friel's death in light of documents uncovered by the Pat Finucane Centre, which were withheld from the original inquest.
The human rights group says the documents show that the Ministry of Defence withheld scientific data indicating that rubber bullets were more dangerous than had been admitted publicly.
The Attorney General said: "These documents represent potentially relevant material which could usefully be explored at the new inquest into the death of Thomas Friel."
The Pat Finucane Centre also said a new pathology report commissioned by the Historical Enquiries Team (HET) contradicts the finding of the original post-mortem carried out by the deputy State Pathologist Dr Carson.
The post-mortem said it was unlikely Mr Friel had died as a result of being struck by a rubber baton round.
But now the Attorney General has said the conclusion in the new report "casts some doubt on the original findings of Dr Carson and the finding of the original inquest."
A spokesperson for Mr Friel's family has said: "We have had years of lies. After more than forty years they must now accept that Thomas was killed by a rubber bullet. These documents show that the British government knew how dangerous the rubber bullets were, but were more concerned with the cover-up than the people they were killing. Our thoughts are with the other families who were affected, those who were injured or killed because the British government were happy to use these deadly weapons on our streets."
Paul O’Connor from the Pat Finucane Centre said: "The use and lethality of rubber bullets is the sort of thematic issue that the Independent Commission for Information Retrieval (ICIR) as proposed by Haass could have examined. The documents uncovered by the Pat Finucane Centre are only the tip of the iceberg. Is this what the DUP is afraid of?"
(IT/MH)
On 18 May 1973 Thomas Friel was hit by the bullet in the Creggan area of the city and died four days later.
The Attorney General has now ordered a fresh inquest to examine the circumstances of Mr Friel's death in light of documents uncovered by the Pat Finucane Centre, which were withheld from the original inquest.
The human rights group says the documents show that the Ministry of Defence withheld scientific data indicating that rubber bullets were more dangerous than had been admitted publicly.
The Attorney General said: "These documents represent potentially relevant material which could usefully be explored at the new inquest into the death of Thomas Friel."
The Pat Finucane Centre also said a new pathology report commissioned by the Historical Enquiries Team (HET) contradicts the finding of the original post-mortem carried out by the deputy State Pathologist Dr Carson.
The post-mortem said it was unlikely Mr Friel had died as a result of being struck by a rubber baton round.
But now the Attorney General has said the conclusion in the new report "casts some doubt on the original findings of Dr Carson and the finding of the original inquest."
A spokesperson for Mr Friel's family has said: "We have had years of lies. After more than forty years they must now accept that Thomas was killed by a rubber bullet. These documents show that the British government knew how dangerous the rubber bullets were, but were more concerned with the cover-up than the people they were killing. Our thoughts are with the other families who were affected, those who were injured or killed because the British government were happy to use these deadly weapons on our streets."
Paul O’Connor from the Pat Finucane Centre said: "The use and lethality of rubber bullets is the sort of thematic issue that the Independent Commission for Information Retrieval (ICIR) as proposed by Haass could have examined. The documents uncovered by the Pat Finucane Centre are only the tip of the iceberg. Is this what the DUP is afraid of?"
(IT/MH)
Related Northern Ireland News Stories
Click here for the latest headlines.
05 March 2024
Chief Constable Committed To Addressing Issues In Sean Browne Investigation
The PSNI Chief Constable has said that he is committed to working with the family of Sean Browne and others impacted by the disclosure limitations of the coronial process. Chief Constable, Jon Boutcher, made the commitment as he acknowledged the comments of the Coroner on the murder of GAA Official, Sean Browne, in 1997.
Chief Constable Committed To Addressing Issues In Sean Browne Investigation
The PSNI Chief Constable has said that he is committed to working with the family of Sean Browne and others impacted by the disclosure limitations of the coronial process. Chief Constable, Jon Boutcher, made the commitment as he acknowledged the comments of the Coroner on the murder of GAA Official, Sean Browne, in 1997.
18 October 2013
Ulster Rugby Players Auction Pink Ducks For Cancer Research
Pink rubber ducks signed by members of the Ulster Rugby team are being auctioned on eBay in aid of Cancer Research UK. Nine pink rubber ducks, individually signed by players and head coach Mark Anscombe, are being auctioned on the online bidding site to raise money for the charity.
Ulster Rugby Players Auction Pink Ducks For Cancer Research
Pink rubber ducks signed by members of the Ulster Rugby team are being auctioned on eBay in aid of Cancer Research UK. Nine pink rubber ducks, individually signed by players and head coach Mark Anscombe, are being auctioned on the online bidding site to raise money for the charity.
03 February 2014
Police Seek Rubber Bullet Witness
Police have issued an appeal to try and trace a schoolboy who may have seen his friend hit by a rubber bullet. The incident happened more than 40 years ago. Francis Rowntree was 11-years-old when he was hit by a rubber bullet on 20 April 1972 which had been fired by the Army following a disturbance in the Divis Street area of west Belfast.
Police Seek Rubber Bullet Witness
Police have issued an appeal to try and trace a schoolboy who may have seen his friend hit by a rubber bullet. The incident happened more than 40 years ago. Francis Rowntree was 11-years-old when he was hit by a rubber bullet on 20 April 1972 which had been fired by the Army following a disturbance in the Divis Street area of west Belfast.
16 March 2023
SDLP Calls For Public Inquiry Into Plastic And Rubber Bullet Use
The SDLP has called for a public inquiry into the use of plastic and rubber bullets by British forces and police during the Troubles, despite knowledge that the bullets were deemed 'too dangerous'.
SDLP Calls For Public Inquiry Into Plastic And Rubber Bullet Use
The SDLP has called for a public inquiry into the use of plastic and rubber bullets by British forces and police during the Troubles, despite knowledge that the bullets were deemed 'too dangerous'.
11 June 2013
MoD Knew Dangers Of Rubber Bullets
The Ministry of Defence knew that rubber bullets used at the height of the Troubles were dangerous, could cause serious injury and even be lethal, but withheld the information from victims, it has emerged. Newly declassified documents from the National Archives have been revealed by a team at the Pat Finucane Centre.
MoD Knew Dangers Of Rubber Bullets
The Ministry of Defence knew that rubber bullets used at the height of the Troubles were dangerous, could cause serious injury and even be lethal, but withheld the information from victims, it has emerged. Newly declassified documents from the National Archives have been revealed by a team at the Pat Finucane Centre.
-
Northern Ireland WeatherToday:A dry and sunny start but cloud bubbling up with a few showers developing from late morning. Sunny intervals and scattered showers in the afternoon, these could be heavy at times. Maximum temperature 12 °C.Tonight:Remaining cloudy with a few showers continuing through the evening. Some drier, clearer spells in the early hours, before cloud builds and showers turn more persistent towards dawn. Minimum temperature 4 °C.
