Debate contribution: Springhill Inquest Findings
Debate contribution by Ms Aisling Reilly on .
- MLA
- Ms Aisling Reilly
- Party at the time
- Sinn Féin
- Date
- 5 May 2026
- Type
- Debate contribution
- Business
- Matter of the Day
- Heading
- Springhill Inquest Findings
- Assembly identifier
- Official Report component 5524285
Read the official Assembly record
Text
On Thursday, we heard the findings of the inquest on the Springhill massacre. After 54 years, families heard an acknowledgement of the truth, which was that Margaret Gargan, aged 13; David McCafferty, aged 15; John Dougal, aged 16; Paddy Butler, aged 38; and Father Noel Fitzpatrick posed no threat; in fact, they were trying to go to the aid of their community and help. The families heard that the actions of the British Army were unjustified; that control was lost; and that unreasonable and excessive force was used. The inquest confirmed what the community and the people in Springhill and Westrock have always known: citizens were deliberately targeted and killed, and that was followed by a concerted effort from the very top to conceal the truth. I have sat in rooms with the Springhill families on many occasions, and I was honoured to sit with them in the courtroom last week. For 50 years, they have shown dignity, resilience and determination. They never gave up. They fought to have their loved ones' names vindicated, and they have done that. The verdict will not bring Margaret, David, John, Paddy or Father Noel back. It will not undo the years of loss and hurt, but it matters that the truth is heard and that those families refused to be silenced. It matters that their perseverance has brought us to this point. The Springhill/Westrock killings stand as a stark example of the harm and brutality inflicted during the Troubles by British state forces and of the long struggle that is needed to secure accountability. The British Government's approach to legacy is disgraceful. It is an attempt to pull the shutter down on other families, close off pathways to truth and justice and shield their forces from accountability. That is not acceptable. Any legacy process or legislation has to command the full confidence of families and be article 2-compliant. Sinn Féin will oppose any shambolic legislation that gives cover and protection to state forces that have committed human rights abuses, including the murder of Irish citizens. Families deserve better. They deserve truth; they deserve justice; and they deserve to be heard. I commend the Springhill families, who, for 54 years, stood firm, fought tooth and nail and refused to give up. Their courageous fight for truth has been inspirational for many families who have suffered at the hands of the British Army and other state actors. They kept going and cleared Margaret, David, John, Paddy and Father Noel's names.
415 words. Text as published by the Northern Ireland Assembly.
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