Thomas Burns

Mr Burns, a 10-year veteran of the British Navy who served in Malta and Singapore, was shot outside the Glen Park Social Club in north Belfast on 13 July 1972. The Ministry of Defence does not dispute responsibility for the shooting.

An inquest which took place on 3 April 1973 returned a verdict of misadventure.

His daughter Patricia Burns applied for a fresh inquest in October 2015, relying on new evidence provided by ex-soldiers to the Historical Enquiries Team (HET) which the family said undermined the reliability of military statements of evidence submitted to the original inquest.

In 2019, a fresh inquiry was refused by then-Attorney General John Larkin QC despite accepting that the original inquest verdict of misadventure was wrong in fact and in law.

Ms Burns subsequently challenged that decision by judicial review, succeeding in the High Court before Mr Justice Humphreys in March 2022. The case was sent back to Attorney General Brenda King for reconsideration.

In a letter to the family’s lawyers, Ms King confirmed that she had directed a fresh inquest.

Patricia Coyle of Harte Coyle Collins, Solicitors & Advocates, acting for Ms Burns, said: “Our clients very much welcome the direction for a fresh inquest into the state killing of their father issued by the Attorney General yesterday.

“They look forward to the inquest opening in the Coroners Court as soon as possible and they are intent on continuing their indefatigable campaign for justice for their father.”

Ms Burns said: “On behalf of my family I would like to thank both the Attorney General and Mr Justice Humphreys of the High Court for their further reconsideration of my application for a fresh inquest into the shooting of my daddy. This inquest means so much to us.

“The army killed an innocent man for no reason and deprived me and my brothers of our father at a very young age. I wish my mum Kathleen were here to see this fresh inquest. This is a big step towards justice and justice starts with information. We remain hopeful of state accountability for our father’s killing.”

Mike Ritchie of Relatives for Justice added: “Relatives for Justice are delighted with the decision by the Attorney General Ms King to direct a fresh inquest into the army’s fatal shooting of Thomas Burns.

“We have supported the family for many years and are aware of the dignity with which they have pursued justice. It is disgraceful that the current Tory government is attempting to cut off routes to justice for victims and their families in Northern Ireland.”