Soldiers 'overreacted' when they shot five people dead in Belfast, judge says

Soldiers 'overreacted' when they shot five people dead, judge says57 minutes agoShareSaveAdd as preferred on GoogleKelly BonnerandHayley Halpin,BBC News NIPAThe families of those killed reacted with joy after the verdict findings were deliveredAn inquest into the shooting of five people in west Belfast in 1972 has found that the army "lost control" in a number of cases and "overreacted to a perceived threat".Fr Noel Fitzpatrick, father-of-six Patrick Butler and 15-year-old David McCafferty and 16-year-old John Dougal were killed by the same soldier in the Springhill estate on 9 July 1972.Thirteen-year-old Margaret Gargan was shot "directly in the face" by a different soldier on the same day.Coroner Mr Justice Scoffield concluded that the force used in all five shootings in the Springhill estate was "not reasonable".He also concluded that evidence suggested that "some sporadic rounds were fired" earlier in the evening and rejected the "civilian case that not one round had been fired on the 9th of July".The court heard that four of the five people killed were shot by the same soldier, and two were killed by the same bullet.Mr Justice Scoffield concluded that "Solider A did not have an honest belief" that he was under immediate danger "or attack" from any of the individuals.He said the "force used was not reasonable" and that it was "not in compliance with the yellow card" in the army's rules of engagement.No warning was given before the shootings.Family handoutMargaret Gargan was 13 when she was killed, John Dougal was 16Margaret GarganThirteen-year-old Margret Gargan was shot "directly in the face", posing "no risk at all", the court heard.Mr Justice Scoffield concluded that the girl was killed in an "aimed shot" and that "no firing was at her location" at the time of her killing.The court heard "no warning&qu...