Derry school boy Paul Whitters to be remembered on 45th anniversary

Derry schoolboy Paul Whitters is to be remembered at an event in the city’s Museum of Free Derry, 45 years after his death. 

On Friday, April 24, 2026, at 1pm, the Pat Finucane Centre will launch its publication: ‘Paul Whitters: A Generous Spirit’ and the wider community will be very welcome.

A 15-year-old schoolboy, Paul died on April 15, 1981, after being  shot in the head with a plastic bullet fired by a member of the RUC. He died in Altnagelvin Hospital 10 days later. 

No-one has ever been charged with Paul’s death.

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On Easter Sunday, 19th April 1981, Gary and Jim Brown were murdered by the British army on Creggan Road, Derry

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The files relating to his death remain closed until 2059, another 33 years, in spite of pleas from his  mother, Helen Whitters, his brothers, Desmond and Aidan, and his sister, Emma, they be made public. 

According to the Pat Finucane Centre (PFC), it became aware in April 2018 that a file directly relating to Paul’s death was being held with the National Archives, but was closed until 2059 on the grounds outlined below.

There are other files relevant to those that were killed by plastic bullets closed for 84 years, until 2071. This includes the deaths of Paul Whitters and Derry child Stephen McConomy (11).

File name CJ4/4402 Paul Whitters: killed by a plastic baton round, April 1981 (1981-83); closed for 75 years. Health and Safety, Personal Information when the applicant is a Third Party. Opening Date: January 1, 2059.

In her April 16, 2007 report into Paul’s death, Police Ombudsman, Nuala O’Loan, found it to be unjustified.

“In my view, the firing of the baton gun on that occasion was wrong and unjustifiable,” said Ms O’Loan.

“The gun was used in contravention of the rules in place at the time. No warning was given by the loudhailer, and it was fired at less than the permissible range of 20 metres. 

“Police officers did not say that the gun was fired because there was a serious risk of injury to anyone,” said Ms O’Loan, who also found Paul’s death had not been properly investigated.