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Enda Kenny incontra la famiglie del massacro di Ballymurphy

Enda Kenny to meet with Ballymurphy families

I parenti delle vittime di Ballymurphy | © Pacemaker

The families of 10 people shot dead by the British Army in Ballymurphy in August 1971 are holding a meeting with Taoiseach Enda Kenny.

Mr Kenny has already backed relatives in their call for an independent inquiry into the shootings 40 years ago.

He is meeting them again in west Belfast on Friday.

It comes after families of the Kingsmill shootings, in which 10 Protestant workmen died in 1976, said the Taoiseach assured them that state files would be released, following a meeting in Co Armagh on Thursday.

The Ballymurphy families said they support the Kingsmill families.

Speaking ahead of the meeting with Enda Kenny, John Teggart – whose father was among those killed when paratroopers opened fire in west Belfast – accused authorities of “dragging their heels” when it comes to disclosing information.

“We’re bringing to his attention about the inquests, how they’re being addressed by the MOD and the PSNI,” he said.

“Up until now the MOD and the PSNI have not been cooperating with our legal team, what you find is we were supposed to get a full disclosure and month after month they’re saying they’re not ready, they’re not handing the disclosure over to us.

“I noticed yesterday a call from Enda Kenny, and rightly, for the Kingsmill documents to be passed over to the families.

“It will be similar for ourselves today, I’m sure Enda will be calling for the MOD, British Government and police to fully engage with the Ballymurphy families and their legal teams so we can get to the truth of what happened.”

A Catholic priest and a mother-of-eight were among the 10 people shot by paratroopers in 1971, while an 11th person died of a heart attack suffered during the carnage.

The Army has claimed that its troops opened fire on the day in question after being shot at by republicans, as it acted to round up suspected paramilitaries after internment was introduced.

However, the families of those killed have always maintained their innocence.

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René Querin

Di professione grafico e web designer, sono appassionato di trekking e innamorato dell'Irlanda e della sua storia. Insieme ad Andrea Varacalli ho creato e gestisco Les Enfants Terribles.

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