PRESS RELEASE
ATTORNEY GENERAL GRANTS FRESH INQUEST INTO THE DEATH OF ANNETTE MCGAVIGAN (14) IN DERRY ON 6TH SEPTEMBER 1971
HARTE COYLE COLLINS, SOLICITORS & ADVOCATES
ISSUED 29TH APRIL 2024
The Attorney General for Northern Ireland has today granted a fresh inquest into the death of 14 year old Annette McGavigan who was shot dead in Derry on the 6th of September 1971.
Lawyers acting on behalf of siblings May, Martin, and Kevin McGavigan, today welcomed the decision of the Attorney General to grant the fresh inquest into the exact circumstances of their sister’s death by fatal shooting at the corner of Eglinton Place/Lisfannon Park in Derry. The next of kin believe that their sister was killed by a member of a British army armed patrol in the area at the time. The MOD have never accepted responsibility for the fatal shooting of the child.
Since 2015 fresh evidence including eye-witness accounts, pathology and ballistic evidence has been submitted by LIB to both the Attorney General and the Public Prosecution Service for consideration of a fresh inquest and a prosecution. Both the Attorney General and the PPS also considered interviews conducted by the HET with 2 members of the Royal Greenjackets in 2011 and 2013.
The PSNI interviewed a third soldier under caution in May 2023 and submitted a file to the PPS in February 2024. The PPS today confirmed their decision not to prosecute one of the soldiers involved. The next of kin have now requested a review of this decision.
While the inquest direction by the Attorney General today comes just 2 days before 1st May 2024 Legacy Act deadline, the family confirmed that they will do everything possible to pursue the inquest direction.
Patricia Coyle, solicitor for the family said today;
“My clients welcome the Attorney General’s decision to grant a fresh inquest into the fatal shooting of their 14 year old sister in 1971. They have campaigned relentlessly for over 20 years to achieve some independent judicial court based scrutiny of the circumstances of their sister’s killing. While this decision comes immediately before the Legacy Act deadline they will not be deterred in campaigning to action the AG direction. Legal challenges persist regarding the Legacy Act including an application to the European Court of Human Rights by the family.
My clients note the recent comments by shadow Northern Ireland Secretary Mr Hilary Benn that Labour’s intention is to repeal the Legacy Act. In the circumstances my clients will be relying on the decision by the Attorney General today to grant a fresh inquest.”
Contact
Patricia Coyle
02890 278227
