Northern Ireland

Ballymurphy shooting inquests ordered

Fresh inquests into the deaths of 10 people shot dead by paratroopers in Ballymurphy in 1971 have been ordered by the Attorney General.

The Army has always said it opened fire in response to gunfire from republican paramilitaries.

But the victims' families have spent years campaigning for an independent inquiry into the killings. They have welcomed the decision by John Larkin to order fresh inquests.

SDLP West Belfast MLA Alex Attwood said Mr Larkin's decision underlined the need for a full international inquiry.

"This decision vindicates the campaign of the families for truth and justice," he said.

"This development, however, serves to confirm that it is a public, international inquiry that is needed to give the families the means to truth that their campaign demands."

The victims, which included a priest and a mother-of-eight, were killed in August 1971 by members of the Parachute Regiment during Operation Demetrius, when people suspected of paramilitary activity were interned.