Ruling could force reopening of cases
A High Court judge ruled in favour of the family of murdered Derry woman Kathleen Thompson, finding that no effective investigation was held into her murder.
Kathleen Thompson was shot dead by British soldiers in the Creggan Estate in Derry in the early hours of November 6, 1971.
The Thompson family approached the Pat Finucane Centre (PFC) three years ago to ask for support in their search for the truth. It soon emerged no proper investigation was ever carried out by the RUC. The PSNI then claimed the investigation file had disappeared. Hours before a TV documentary was screened last year the PSNI said that a file did in fact exist.
At a meeting, the PSNI refused to disclose the file and the Thompson family walked out in disgust.
As late as February 18 of this year British Minister, Des Browne, claimed in correspondence that a full police investigation had been carried out.
Solicitors acting on behalf of the family lodged a judicial review in the High Court claiming that the Secretary of State was under an obligation to carry out an Article 2 investigation as required by the European Convention on Human Rights and the Human Rights Act.
Yesterday’s judgment will have major implications for many cases where British soldiers and RUC officers were responsible for murders. Speaking yesterday in Belfast, Minty Thompson, daughter of the murdered woman, said she “was overjoyed at the ruling”.
Though it is expected the Secretary of State will appeal the judgement, campaigners believe it could mark a turning point for victims of state violence.
