Annette McGavigan was shot dead in Derry in September 1971
Annette McGavigan, 14, was shot dead by the British Army during rioting on September 6, 1971.
The police said: “We can confirm that a suspect was interviewed under caution as part of the murder investigation, which remains active and ongoing.”
Annette was the 100th civilian killed in the Troubles.
No one has ever been convicted in relation to her death.
Annette lived with her parents, four brothers and two sisters, in Drumcliffe Avenue in the Bogside.
She was pupil at St. Cecilia’s College in Derry. Her siblings recall her as an artistic, bubbly and good natured teen.
Her younger sister, May, believes Annette would have become a nurse.
On September 6, 1971, all pupils at Annette’s school had been allowed to leave early due to ongoing rioting in and around the Little Diamond area of the Bogside.
Annette and several of her friends had gathered to collect the rubber bullets that inevitably littered the ground in such melees.
After the rioting had begun to wane at approximately 6 pm, Annette, still wearing her school uniform and holding an ice-cream in her hand, was shot in the back of the head while standing at the corner of Blucher Street and Westland Street.
It was reproted at the time that Annette was shot as she attempted to pick up a rubber bullet to add to her collection of riot souvenirs.
Her sister, May, who was just 12 at the time of the fatal shooting, has hit out at a new law to deal with legacy cases as “a disgrace”.
The government said the Legacy Bill, which came into law this week after receiving Royal Assent, was the best way to deal with Troubles-related cases.
It has been controversial because opponents say it will remove access to justice for victims and relatives of those affected by the Troubles in Northern Ireland.
Victims’ groups, the main political parties on the island of Ireland and the Irish government are all opposed to the legislation.
At least 15 families are mounting a legal challenge the new at the High Court in Belfast before Mr Justice Colton.
May McGavigan recalled to the BBC the day 52 years ago when her sister was killed.
“It was unbelievable, really, it was a nightmare,” she told the BBC.
Asked about the legacy bill, which allows people to be granted conditional immunity from prosecution for Troubles-related killings, Ms McGavigan said: “It’s a disgrace.”
She added: “I wouldn’t want Annette to be just forgotten about because, going back years ago, her name was never really mentioned and I always thought Annette was the forgotten one.”
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