Seamus Bradley who was shot dead by British soldiers during Operation Motorman in Derry 45 years ago
A CORONER has issued an appeal for information on the death of a Derry man killed by the Army more than 40 years ago.
Seamus Bradley was 19 and an unarmed member of the Provisional IRA when he died after being shot in Derry by the British Army during Operation Motorman, an operation aimed at regaining control of areas in the city deemed to be “no-go zones”.
The inquest into the death of Mr Bradley, who died on July 31, 1972, is due to commence at Derry Courthouse on December 11.
It will be presided over by Judge Patrick Kinney.
A spokesperson for the Coroner’s Service appealed for information.
She said: “The coroner, His Honour Judge Kinney, requests that if anyone can assist this inquest in examining this death, they should make contact with the Coroner’s Service.
“There may, for example, be persons with relevant information concerning the death but who have not yet brought that information to the attention of the authorities or persons who were in the vicinity of Bishop’s Field or the ‘Creggan Shops’.”
Information can be sent to the Coroner’s Service for Northern Ireland, Laganside House, 23-27 Oxford Street, Belfast, BT1 3LA.
Details can also be passed via email to [email protected] or by telephone on 028 9044 6829.
The British Army claimed Mr Bradley was shot while he was in a tree and suffered additional injuries as he fell.
However, his family has alleged he was shot while running from the area and sustained further injuries while in the custody of soldiers.
Relatives have previously expressed concerns that while some post-mortem photos are available, none appear to show Mr Bradley’s neck, citing concerns he may have suffered a broken neck.