The family of William Norman Smyth, shot dead on his doorstep on the 24th October 1978, have requested that the Attorney General for Northern Ireland consider granting a fresh inquest into his murder. Mr Smyth was shot by a single gunshot outside his home at Ballyclare Street, Belfast after returning home from work at the Glenpark Social Club where he was Chairman. He was 52 years of age and the father of 7 children.
The family allege that Mr Smyth was shot by a member of a British army covert operations unit which had been secreted in an attic in the area for a number of days before the shooting. The family and the solicitors have unearthed new evidence which they rely upon in asking the Attorney General to now consider directing a fresh inquest into the murder. The application for a fresh inquest was submitted to the Attorney General in August 2015. The Attorney General for Northern Ireland, John Larkin Q.C, has agreed to request the production of all documents held by the PSNI Legacy Branch in relation to the murder.
