Second inquest into killing of Francis Bradley to be heard next April

Francis Bradley, 20, was killed by soldiers near Toomebridge in 1986. The IRA said he was not a member at the time but later added his name to the organisation’s “roll of honour”.

A fresh inquest was ordered into the killing in 2010 by then-attorney general, John Larkin.

Coroner Peter Irvine said he wants to get the inquest “up and running as soon as possible”. The Co Derry man’s family welcomed the development. 

Mr Irvine, who is also a judge, said at a preliminary hearing in Belfast that April 24 next year was the target date.

“Everything is going to revolve around that particular date with the management of this particular inquest,” he said.

Karen Quinlivan KC, for the Bradley family, said they had been waiting for a long time for the inquest. “They are very anxious that the matter moves forward,” she said.

Joanne Hannigan KC, for the PSNI and Ministry of Defence, said there were a “substantial” number of legacy inquests due to be heard in the first half of next year and that the preparatory work as a while was creating “significant resource pressures”. 

The family’s solicitor, Fearghal Shiels of Madden & Finucane, said: “This was the very first inquest to be ordered by the attorney general for NI in May 2010.

“The family have waited a very long time for a substantive hearing to be fixed and they are pleased that matters are now moving in the right direction.”