Hegarty family: 'Behaviour of PPS crass maladministration'

The family of Daniel Hegarty (15), who was murdered by a British soldier during Operation Motorman in Derry on July 31, 1972, said they learned of the death from the Public Prosecution Service (PPS).

Speaking on behalf of Daniel's family, his sister Margaret said: "The PPS called us on Friday evening last, September 22, 2023, to tell us that Soldier B had died the previous day, September 21, 2023.

"While our solicitor awaits proper verification, we have reflected on the behaviour of the PPS over the years since Daniel’s murder with much disdain.

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"The behaviour of the PPS amounts to nothing more than deliberate and crass maladministration at the highest levels from 1973 to 2023. They acted unlawfully, protecting the interests of Soldier B, the Ministry of Defence and the British Army. A number of critical judgements from senior judges here confirm the unlawfulness of the actions of the PPS.

"The effect of all this is to make a mockery of justice, the rule of law, state accountability, fairness and due process.

"The behaviour of the PPS has been described by senior judges as ‘irrational.’ To us it was all deliberate and by design. They never really wanted to prosecute Soldier B for murdering a child. They had to be dragged by us to that position during the course of almost 15 years of painful litigation.

We take no delight in the death of Soldier B. In fact, we will pray that God forgives Soldier B for murdering Daniel. We will offer a Mass for Soldier B as well. Our mother did the same in 1972.

"However, it seems to us that the PPS will be more than satisfied with a job well done having dragged out this case for far too long which resulted in protecting the British soldier who murdered an innocent 15-year-old child 51 years ago.

"We are very disappointed that the organisation that is supposed to represent us as people in society only protected the British State and a child murderer. We, like our parents, placed our faith in the legal system for all its faults, as we know that no system of justice is perfect. But that faith was exploited by prevarication, delay and maladministration on the part of the PPS.
What has happened is not in the interests of justice or fairness.

"The scandalous actions and inactions of the PPS requires scrutiny as a matter of urgent public importance."