Daniel's family owed PPS apology

Margaret Brady, the sister of Daniel Hegarty (15) who was murdered British Soldier B during Operation Motorman in Derry has slammed the "cruelty" with which her family is currently being treated by the Public Prosecutions Service (PPS).

In a statement to Derry Now on behalf of her family and cousin, Christopher Hegarty, Margaret revealed the PPS had begun an appeal process in the Supreme Court regarding Soldier B, who died on September 21, 2023. Solicitor Des Doherty, who is representing the Hegarty family, was served with legal papers on Thursday last (September28, 2023).

Margaret added: "Within a week of the death of soldier B and all the  trauma that created for his family and our own, the PPS  lodged an Application for Leave to Appeal to the  Supreme Court in relation to the judgement involving  the dead British soldier of the, 29th of June 2023.

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"It is a  matter of public concern that the PPS did not act as fast  as they are now over the course of the last number of  years.

"If they had, the prosecution of Soldier B, when  he was alive, would have been concluded.

"This feels like an act of final exquisite cruelty against us. It perpetuates this never ending nightmare of a miscarriage of justice we have  suffered. We are lost for words apart from to repeat  that what has happened in Daniel’s case since 1972  requires detailed public scrutiny."

Responding to Margaret's statement, a PPS spokeswoman said: “The Divisional Court ruling in relation to the PPS decision to discontinue proceedings against Soldier B has been considered carefully.

“The PPS believes it necessary to now take steps to seek clarity on a number of legal issues raised by the ruling, by means of an application for permission to appeal to the Supreme Court.  Notice of this application and written submissions were recently lodged with the court.   

“The PPS considers that the judgment raises questions of law of general public importance that are still relevant after Soldier B’s death and have the potential to impact future cases.  

"We appreciate that this development has understandably added distress to the family of Daniel Hegarty so soon after the death of Soldier B. We do not wish to add to their upset in any way. However, the final Order of the Divisional Court issued on September 12, 2023 and notice to appeal must be given within a strict timeframe thereafter.”

SDLP Leader Colum Eastwood MP has called for a review of what he described as the "disgraceful treatment" of the family of Daniel Hegarty by the PPS.

His remarks followed an appeal by the PPS to the Supreme Court in relation to the judgement earlier this year which quashed their decision not to prosecute Soldier B, who recently passed away.

Mr Eastwood said: "The Hegarty family has been treated disgracefully by public agencies throughout their long campaign for truth and justice. This application by the PPS, and the speed with which it was undertaken, adds insult to injury. 

“There should be a full review of how this process has been conducted, how victims have been treated and, frankly, an apology for Daniel’s family.”