Derry Daily
  • News
  • Entertainment
  • Sport
  • Features
  • Courts
  • Business
  • Health
  • Politics
  • Jobs
Sunday 10°CMonday 8°C

Derry Daily Derry Daily Derry Daily

  • News
  • Entertainment
  • Sport
  • Features
  • Courts
  • Business
  • Health
  • Politics
  • Jobs
CourtsNews

Ex-soldier to be charged with 1972 murder of Daniel Hegarty

April 15, 2019
ShareTweet

Daneil Hegarty was shot dead by a British soldier in Derry in 1972

A FORMER British soldier is to be charged with murdering a teenager, who was shot twice in the head in Derry almost 47 years ago.

Fifteen-year-old Daniel Hegarty was killed in an Army operation near his home in Creggan in July 1972.

Last year, the High Court ruled a decision not to prosecute, taken in 2016, was based on “flawed” reasoning.

The British Army veteran, known as Soldier B, will also face a second charge of wounding the teenager’s cousin.

The move has been welcomed by the Hegarty family.

The Director of Public Prosecutions, Stephen Herron, informed the Hegarty family of developments at a private meeting.

He conducted a review of the case following the court ruling.

Mr Herron said he believed the evidence “is sufficient to provide a reasonable prospect of conviction”.

In reaching the decision, he added that he had taken Soldier B’s ill health into consideration.

An inquest in 2011 found Daniel Hegarty posed no risk and was shot without warning as the Army moved in to clear “no-go” areas during Operation Motorman.

His cousin, Christopher Hegarty, 17, was also shot in the head by the same soldier, but survived.

In respect of the older youth, Soldier B will face a charge of wounding with intent.

Margaret Brady, sister of Daniel Hegarty, always vowed the family wouold not give up until they got justice for him

In a statement, the Hegarty family said: “This has been a long journey. It has taken 47 years to finally get the state to do the right thing.

“We urge anyone fighting for justice never to give up.

“We wish Soldier B no ill-will. We just want the criminal trial process to begin.”

A total of six former soldiers are now facing prosecution over Troubles-era killings.

The cases relate to Daniel Hegarty; Bloody Sunday; John Pat Cunningham; Joe McCann (involving two ex-soldiers); and Aidan McAnespie.

Not all the charges are murder.

The Public Prosecution Service said that of 26 so-called legacy cases it has taken decisions on since 2011, 13 related to republicans, eight to loyalists, and five are connected to the Army.

Related Topics

Ex-soldier to be charged with 1972 murder of Daniel Hegarty was last modified: April 16th, 2019 by John

Tags:
CRegganDirector of Public ProsecutionsEx-soldier to be charged with 1972 murder of Daniel HegartyJuly 1972PUBLIC PROSECUTION SERVICEStephen Herron
ShareTweet

LEAVE A COMMENT

You may also like

Eastwood to nominate Bloody Sunday families for...

3 hours ago

Harkin: Council Backs Seagate Trade Union Campaign

7 hours ago

Dangerous driver arrested in Derrry

1 day ago

Suspect arrested over drugs seizure in Derry

2 days ago

Virginia Woolf’s A Room of One’s Own...

2 days ago

SDLP meets with Invest NI Interim Chief...

2 days ago

Police concerned for missing Caolan Maguire

2 days ago

Council lighting up Purple for Holocaust Memorial...

2 days ago

McLaughlin highlights concerns on student access to...

2 days ago

Durkan: PSNI cuts will have significant impact...

3 days ago

Keep in touch

Facebook Twitter Email

Features

  • Derry cancer survivor Noeleen McMorris reveals importance of awareness

    July 25, 2022
  • Competition! Win tickets to Northern Ireland v England Women’s Euro 2022 match

    June 17, 2022
  • Glenapp Castle: Only a few miles from home but a million miles away

    December 20, 2021
  • DD Travel Feature: The Unsung Shores of Portugal

    November 12, 2021
  • Derry meeting led young Donegal woman to high profile murder

    July 16, 2021

Courts

  • Two men to stand trial for murder of journalist Lyra McKee

    January 23, 2023
  • Derry man jailed for six years over ‘heinous’ sex offences

    January 18, 2023
  • Top Derry officer not moved as punishment, says chief constable

    January 16, 2023
  • Man charged over police car ramming incident in Derry

    January 16, 2023
  • Former Derry police commander suing PSNI over ‘discrimination’

    January 12, 2023

Donegal Daily

  • Vehicle escaped into Donegal after ramming PSNI car

    3 hours ago
  • North Donegal man seriously injured in farm accident

    3 hours ago
  • Huge sadness at passing of Letterkenny photographer, Dermot Donohue

    22 hours ago

Read More

  • News
  • Sport
  • Courts
  • Jobs
  • Features
  • Business
  • Politics

Information

  • Contact Us
  • About
  • Advertise WIth Us
  • Privacy Policy
  • Disclaimer
  • Terms & Conditions
Derry Daily

© 2023 Derry Daily. All rights reserved.


Back To Top

Posting....