Belfast Court Vindicates Springhill/Westrock Families’ Struggle for Truth

Belfast, Northern Ireland —  More than fifty years after the Springhill/Westrock killings in West Belfast, a coroner has concluded that the five people shot dead by British soldiers on 9 July 1972 should not have been killed. The victims were Father Noel Fitzpatrick, a local priest; Patrick Butler, a father of six; and three children – John Dougal (16), David McCafferty (15), and Margaret Gargan (13). Delivering his findings, Justice Scoffield also found that much of the military evidence presented to the inquest was false.

The inquest concluded in April 2024, just hours before the deadline imposed by the 2023 Legacy Act to end conflict-related inquests. After years of delay and sustained campaigning, the proceedings closed with families applauding, describing it as a moment of recognition after more than five decades of waiting to find out who was responsible.

“This is the moment the families have been waiting for,” said Brian Dooley, Senior Advisor for Human Rights First, who was in court when the findings were delivered. “They have campaigned with extraordinary determination through decades of delay and obstruction to get to the truth about what happened to their loved ones. Today’s findings are a vindication of that long fight.”

Human Rights First has worked on Northern Ireland accountability issues since the 1980s, including monitoring attacks and threats against human rights lawyers. For several years, HRF has supported the Springhill/Westrock families in their search for the truth, attended court proceedings, and lobbied for their right to a full inquest. HRF continues to oppose legislative efforts to shut down conflict-related inquests like this one.

The Springhill/Westrock inquest shows the continued need for independent investigations into killings involving state forces and others, where families have fought for decades to get answers.