Ballymurphy families mark 45th anniversary of shootings

Relatives of those killed in the Ballymurphy massacre have made their annual walk calling for justice over the deaths of the 11 people who died over a three-day period in August 1971.

Ten victims, including a Catholic priest and a mother-of-eight, were shot dead by members of the British Parachute Regiment.

An 11th person died of a heart attack in the wake of a confrontation with a soldier.

Prominent barrister Michael Mansfield QC, who represents some of the families and joined them for their march on Sunday, told UTV the truth must be told.

“There is one simple thing and that is truth – it always comes out in the end,” he said.

“But it requires a lot of energy and persistence and patience and courage, and that’s been shown by the families throughout the long wait for the inquests which have opened but obviously haven’t concluded and the main hearings haven’t happened.

“Today is merely keeping the flame of hope alive that, at the end of the day, peace is dependent on justice and justice is dependent on truth.”

SDLP MLA Claire Hanna addressed the march and reiterated the need for truth and accountability from all organisations involved in the Troubles.

“There have by now been multiple sets of negotiations and proposals and, each time, the outcomes are watered down,” she said.

“Whatever about the questions Eames-Bradley raised, it offered a series of answers on how best to deliver truth, justice, acknowledgment and accountability.

“Since then, those proposals have been degraded - somewhat in Haass-O’Sullivan, more so in Stormont House, then skipped over in Fresh Start.

“In a renewed discussion on the past, we urge all involved to resist any attempt to degrade them further and instead attempt to rebuild what has been lost.”

Ms Hanna added: “There are issues to be resolved around funding, the inclusion of the Irish Government, and around the various legacy bodies, but the issue of 'national security' needs to called for what it is - a devise by state agencies to resist truth and accountability.

“But the SDLP is very clear that state agencies are not the only ones resisting truth and accountability.”

All those who were in command and control of organisations, state and non-state, have a common interest – both see accountability on their own terms. And all too often, nearly all the time, that is not on the terms needed by victims and survivors.

• WATCH: Michael Mansfield QC and Briege Voyle, whose mother Joan Connolly was shot dead, speak to UTV