Northern Ireland’s Crown Prosecution Service announced Thursday that a former British soldier will be charged with the murder of a man in Belfast half a century ago during sectarian violence known as the Troubles.
An unnamed former soldier has been charged with the murder of Patrick McVeigh, 44, who was shot dead in Belfast on May 13, 1972. He and three other veterans have also been charged with attempted murder in connection with the conflict. Same year.
On this day in history, February 8, 1587, Mary, Queen of Scots, was beheaded on the orders of her cousin, Queen Elizabeth I.
The soldiers were all part of a temporary British Army unit known as the Military Reaction Force, operating in Belfast at the time.
Union Jack photographed against a cloudy sky (Photo by Gareth Cattermole/Getty Images)
The prosecutor’s office made the announcement following an investigation into the activities of army units.
The case will not be affected by a controversial law that provides immunity from prosecution for crimes committed during the unrest, a 30-year period of violence in Northern Ireland that has killed more than 3,500 people.
The Estate and Settlement Bill is scheduled to come into force from May 1st. Former British Prime Minister Boris Johnson, who proposed the bill, said it would allow Northern Ireland to “draw the line in conflict”.
CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP
But families of those killed and local politicians have strongly criticized the move, saying it erases the past and cuts off access to justice for victims and survivors. Inquests into dozens of estates have yet to be heard.