On the opening day of the inquest Monday 22nd January, it was revealed that the MoD intend to look at attacks and incidents that occurred at Corry’s Timberyard over the months leading up to the deaths of the victims.
Corry’s Timberyard is the vantage site where the British Army stationed itself for the purposes of watching the local community.
Joe Aiken counsel for the MoD said that he would be looking at the entirety of the four-month tour of the British Army regiment based in Corry’s Timberyard at the time. The King’s Regiment known within the British Army as 1 King was believed to be responsible for shooting dead the five victims on the July 9, 1972.
Aiken said that the MoD will be looking at British Army logs and files to determine how many attacks were being carried out on the military base throughout the tour. The book compiled by the Corry family about the timberyard records some of the incidents and attacks that occurred, and this will be looked at as well said Aiken to build up a picture of what was taking place in the months prior to the deaths.
During the week, the inquest also discussed legal arguments in relation to Article 2 of the European Convention of Human Rights and how it may have a bearing on the inquest. The Public Interest Immunity (PII) hearing concerning sensitive material held by the PSNI about the Springhill/Westrock Massacre was also discussed. Counsel for several military witnesses told the inquest that they were seeking more disclosure before they give evidence to the inquest. Other matters raised during the inquest were about an application for medical excusal on behalf of a civilian witness because he is unfit to give evidence, and applications by military witnesses in respect of anonymity and screening before they give evidence.
On Wednesday 24th January expert witness Forensic Archaeologist Alistair Vannan gave his evidence to the inquest. This was his second report to the inquest having provided the inquest with his first report at the inquest hearing on 22nd February 2023. His evidence entailed giving an historical landscape reconstruction of the Springhill and Westrock area as it was in 1972. This was provided for in a series of maps that depicted the area as it was likely to have looked in 1972. In addition to presenting the general character of the landscape at this time, specific places of interest indicated by civilian witnesses were also mapped and presented to the inquest. Changes in the landscape between how it is likely to have appeared in 1972 and its current physical characteristics were also charted and presented in mapping to the inquest.
The inquest continues today.
