Two soldiers ‘lost control’ in fatal shootings in Belfast 50 years ago – coroner

Relatives of those was killed during the Springhill Westrock killings, arrive at Belfast Coroner’s Court, for the inquest into the 1972 west Belfast shooting of three teenagers and a priest, in a disputed incident involving the Army is being held. Picture date: Thursday April 30, 2026. - (PA Wire)

Two soldiers “lost control” in the fatal shootings of five people in Belfast almost 54 years ago, a coroner has said.

The British Army soldiers did not use reasonable force in the shooting of a Catholic priest, a father-of-six and three teenagers in two areas of west Belfast on July 9 1972, the coroner ruled.