The inquest into the death of Francis Bradley resumed in Coleraine Courthouse on Monday, 5th of February, with what the barrister for the next-of-kin described as a “red herring”. Counsel for former military personnel involved in the ambush, instructed by Devonshires Solicitors, raised an issue alleging the process was not ready to restart due to questions about whether Article 2 of the European Convention on Human Rights, the right to life, was engaged in this inquest. RFJ agree with the legal team for Francis’ family that Article 2 is engaged.
The coroner stated that he will continue to hear the inquest despite attempts by MoD lawyers to halt proceedings, whilst the issues around Article 2 are dealt with. No doubt this is yet another strategy by state agencies seeking to obstruct and delay inquests currently underway, to run down the clock ahead of the May 1st guillotine date set by the Legacy Act. After this date all inquests will be shut down.
Francis Bradley (20) was shot dead at the rear of a farmhouse by undercover SAS soldiers during an ambush near Toome, County Antrim, in February 1986. Just weeks before the ambush, RUC officers told Francis that he would not live to see his 21st birthday. These threats were widely reported in the media at the time by leading human rights campaigner, the late Monsignor Denis Faul. A pathology report found that Francis was shot eight times, with one of the wounds being consistent with him being on his knees and other wounds consistent with him being shot while lying on his back.
The inquest opened in April 2023, 37 years after the murder, and his father, Eddie, passed away last year without having found out the truth about his son’s death despite having campaigned tirelessly for almost four decades.
The inquest resumed on the 6th of February with two civilian witnesses called to give evidence. Mr Kelly and Mr Keenan were only questioned by Mr Richard Horwell KC, counsel for former British soldiers. They said they believed they had heard gunfire shooting, followed by a flare. There were no further questions put to them, so Coroner Irvine then heard the evidence of civil engineer Mr Magill, who has compiled a report for the inquest regarding the topography and landscape of the area in which Francis, we believe, was ambushed and executed by the British Army in 1986.
The inquest continues.
