A jury ruled that a soldier fired shots that killed a mother of six more than 50 years earlier.
Kathleen Thompson, 47 years old, was killed in her Londonderry home’s back yard in 1971.
In 1972, an inquest into Mrs Thompson’s murder returned an open verdict. In 2013, the attorney general ordered a new inquest.
The inquest began in 2018 but was halted for time to track three soldiers. It will resume in 2021.
Mrs Justice Sandra Crawford ruled the fatal shots were fired from Soldier D by the British Army after an operation in the area.
According to the coroner, Mrs Thompson was reportedly going to her rear in Rathlin Drive to bang a lid or other object on the ground to alert people to the presence of the army when she was shot.
She claimed that Soldier D claimed he opened fire on Soldier D after he was shot at, and was doing so to protect himself as well as his fellow soldiers.
The coroner stated: “I can’t be satisfied that Soldier D believed he was under fire.”
Following the ruling, Mrs Thompson’s family spoke outside to express their appreciation for the fact that the decision was made and acknowledged that Mrs Thompson was an innocent civilian whose murder was not properly investigated.
Minty Thompson, Mrs Thompson’s child, read a statement that stated: “There was not justification for her murder and it’s extremely important for us and the wider community that we establish the truth, even if real justice remains elusive.”
“The legality and lawfulness of the killing should have been determined in a court with a prosecution.”
“This has been an extremely difficult journey for us. We shouldn’t have had to fight justice.”
The family stated that they wanted to ask Brandon Lewis, secretary of state, a question about the coroner’s findings. However, on the same day you received them, you have rushed through a law that will prevent other families from having an inquest.
“You are a qualified barrister but you want to deny justice to families.” Have you no shame?”
The government stated that the current legacy arrangements are no longer working.
But, it happens that on the same day it is moving legislation, there are two court decisions which, according to opponents, weaken its argument.
It will ban future inquests related to the Troubles.
Some victims’ families find it very valuable to have their day in court today.
Kathleen Thompson was the victim of a shooting incident that led to an inquest finding that a soldier had not justified her shooting.
Another case involved a civil action brought by the relatives of victims of the McGurks Bar Bombing.
A judge quashed their police report.
However, what happened today will not change the larger picture.
The government has taken a course of action that it is unlikely to stray from.
