The families of three men shot dead in west Belfast by undercover British soldiers seven years ago have refused to take part in a new inquest. Lawyers walked out in protest at the present inquest system in Northern Ireland, which they claim is unfair and restricts full public inquiries into controversial killings. The next-of-kin of one of the families said they were now taking the case to the European Court of Human Rights where it can receive an uninterrupted hearing. Yesterday's inquest was directed to be held by a Belfast High Court judge after a legal challenge to one held in Co Antrim three years ago, when soldiers gave evidence from behind screens to protect their identities. None of the five soldiers involved in the shootings attended yesterday's hearing.
A solicitor, Mr Peter Madden, said public concern about the killings would not be assuaged as the soldiers could not be subject to cross-examination. When the legal representatives and the families left the courtroom the inquest continued but the coroner, Mr John Leckey, cut the number of witnesses from 41 to six.
The three men killed after an attempted robbery with imitation guns were: Edward Paul Hale (25), Poleglass, Dunmurry; Peter James Thompson (21), Upper Dunmurry Lane; and John Joseph McNeill (42), of Ballymoney Street in Belfast.