A republican who was shot by a soldier during the funeral of Shankill Road bomber Thomas Begley was awarded £27,500 compensation in the High Court in Belfast yesterday. The shooting happened on October 26th, 1993, outside the home of Begley, at Brompton Park, Ardoyne. Mr Eddie Copeland (28), from the Ardoyne, was was struck by two bullets fired by the soldier. The Ministry of Defence had claimed that it was not liable for the actions of the soldier who shot Mr Copeland because he was acting outside the course of his employment.
A three-week stay was granted in the event of an appeal.