An inquest has ruled that the shooting of four IRA suspects by the SAS in 1992 was unjustified. The verdict has sparked anger from Unionist and Conservative MPs, who argue that the ruling could have serious consequences for the armed forces. The Northern Ireland Secretary, Hilary Benn, said the Ministry of Defence is considering the judgment and that the government stands by the armed forces.
An inquest ruled the shooting of Peter Clancy, Patrick Vincent, Kevin Barry O'Donnell and Sean O'Farrell by the SAS was unjustifiedsoldiers were not justified in openingKevin Barry O'Donnell, Sean O'Farrell, Peter Clancy, and Patrick Vincent died in February 1992, minutes after carrying out a gun attack on Coalisland police station.
Speaking in the House of Commons on Tuesday, Benn said he was limited in what he could say given there is also an ongoing civil case, but added: "These are clearly very significant matters which require careful consideration." "Would we find it acceptable that the courts subsequently sought to punish those forces that had risked their lives for ours? The consequences of this ruling are potentially very severe."Benn responded that the last Conservative government's act "would have given those very terrorists killed in the exchange of fire the ability to secure immunity from prosecution".
TUV Leader Jim Allister said there had been "tangible anger" at the ruling, while DUP Leader Gavin Robinson said he would not stand for a "rewriting of the past" when it came to the events of 1992.
SAS IRA Shooting Inquest Northern Ireland
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