Settlement reached in Ballymurphy civil actions against the Ministry of Defence and Chief Constable of the PSNI
In 2017 our office issued civil proceedings against the Ministry of Defence and Chief Constable of the PSNI for damages and loss sustained by the families of those killed in what has become known as the ‘Ballymurphy Massacre’ on the 9th – 11th August 1971, by virtue of the negligence and misfeasance in public office of the defendants. We also issued proceedings on behalf of a number of individuals who were shot and injured by the British Army in the same incidents.
This legal action, which had been listed for a one-week hearing commencing 13th June 2022, has concluded with all litigation having been settled on confidential terms at the High Court in Belfast today in relation to the deaths of Fr Hugh Mullan, Frank Quinn, Joan Connolly, Noel Phillips, Daniel Teggart, Edward Doherty, Joseph Corr and John Laverty.
Litigation in relation to the death of John McKerr, Paddy McCarthy and the related legal proceedings of those injured at Ballymurphy is ongoing.
This settlement follows Inquest findings delivered by Mrs Lady Chief Justice, Siobhan Keegan, in May 2021, which found that the deceased were entirely innocent of any wrongdoing.
Pádraig Ó Muirigh of Ó Muirigh Solicitors commenting on the settlement said:
“As a result of intense negotiations over the last number of weeks these legal actions, which had been listed for hearing before the High Court on Monday 13th June 2022, have now been settled.
The confidential nature of the settlement of this legal action prevents me disclosing the settlement figure. I can confirm, though, that the figure is significant and that our clients are satisfied with the outcome of this litigation.
We hope to achieve satisfactory outcomes for the remaining legal actions in the near future.
Whilst nothing will bring back their loved ones or reverse the traumatic impact these events have had on these families, it would be hoped that with the satisfactory conclusion of this litigation, following the milestone inquest findings last year, can bring some small degree of comfort to the Ballymurphy families.
It is crucial that cases of this nature be allowed to progress through Inquest and Civil proceedings. Rather than peddling ‘false hope’ as British Secretary of State, Brandon Lewis, claimed last week, these robust legal proceedings have provided much information about what has happened to their loved ones, unlike the flawed RUC and Royal Military Police (RMP) investigation in 1971 and the later HET Desktop Review.”