A former British soldier will be prosecuted for the murder of a man in Belfast during sectarian violence known as the “Troubles” half a century ago, Northern Ireland prosecutors said on Thursday.
The former soldier, who is not named, is accused of the murder of Patrick McVeigh, 44, who was shot in the city of Belfast on May 13, 1972. He and three other veterans also face related attempted murder charges with incidents in the same year.
ON THIS DAY IN HISTORY, FEBRUARY 8, 1587, MARY, QUEEN OF SCOTLAND, BEHEADED BY ORDER OF COUSIN QUEEN ELIZABETH I
All of the soldiers belonged to a temporary unit of the British Army, known as the Military Reaction Force, which was operating in Belfast at the time.
The Union Jack is photographed against a partly cloudy sky (Photo by Gareth Cattermole/Getty Images)
Prosecutors made the announcement following investigations into the army unit's activities.
The cases will not be affected by a contentious law that will grant immunity from prosecution for crimes committed during the Troubles, the three decades of violence in Northern Ireland in which more than 3,500 people died.
The Legacy and Reconciliation Bill is expected to come into force on May 1. Former British Prime Minister Boris Johnson, who proposed the bill, said it would allow Northern Ireland to “draw a line under the Troubles.”
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But families of those killed and local politicians have harshly criticized it, saying it will touch up the past and close access to justice for victims and survivors. Dozens of investigations into the legacy have yet to be heard.
