In August 1971, 11 people were killed over three days when the army moved into Ballymurphy in West Belfast with the intention of arresting IRA suspects.

The fresh inquest had been due to begin this week but the new date was announced at a preliminary hearing yesterday at Belfast High Court, before Mrs Justice Siohban Keegan.

Counsel for the coroner said it will first hear statements from the families of those killed before hearing evidence of the case.

At present, the coroner’s office is examining a database of the names of almost 5,000 former soldiers, given to it by the Ministry of Defence last month.

It is trying to trace former soldiers who may have been at Ballymurphy during the shootings, to call as witnesses.

“The opening will include an overview and the background to the incident,” counsel for the coroner said.

He added that the inquest will also look at the investigation undertaken by the Royal Military Police in the wake of the incident, including the report and directions given by the Attorney General at the time.