Coroner Finds British Army Soldier “More Likely Than Not” Responsible for 1975 Schoolboy Shooting

A coroner has determined that an unidentified British Army soldier was “more likely than not” responsible for the fatal shooting of a schoolboy that occurred nearly 50 years ago within the grounds of a Belfast hospital. Patrick Crawford, aged 15, was fatally shot on 10 August 1975, at approximately 21:40 BST, as he walked through the Royal Victoria Hospital grounds. During the delivery of his findings at the legacy inquest held at Belfast’s Laganside Courthouse, Judge Philip Gilpin stated that the teenager succumbed to a single gunshot wound to the chest. This represents the initial outcome of a legacy inquest since the implementation of the contentious Legacy Act in May. A new inquest into Patrick’s death was granted in 2015 by Northern Ireland’s former attorney general, John Larkin, following requests from his family regarding the killing during the Troubles. The judge, on Monday, dismissed theories suggesting the teenager’s death was linked to an IRA feud, asserting that he “was an innocent 15-year-old boy not involved in any suspect activity at the time he was shot.” He further indicated his intention to receive written submissions concerning the potential removal of anonymity orders previously granted to two deceased soldiers during the inquest proceedings. Judge Gilpin stated: “The cumulative effect of the facts as found by me, and the various strands of evidence when brought together, satisfy me on the balance of probabilities, to a sufficient degree of cogency, that it is more likely than not that Patrick was shot by an unidentified British Army soldier in circumstances where they could not have had a reasonable belief of a threat of force.” He additionally remarked: “He was posing no threat at the time he was shot.” The identity of the soldier responsible for firing the fatal shot remains unknown. Outside the courthouse, Patrick’s younger sister, Maggie Crawford, and brother, John Crawford, expressed that they were “delighted with the outcome.” Ms Crawford commented: “It’s been hanging over us for years, Patrick has been portrayed as a terrorist – he was only a wee lad, he was 15.” She continued: “My father, god rest him, fought tooth and nail to get this and he didn’t get to see the verdict but the family is all happy with what we found out today.” Mr Crawford stated: “Three years before this our mother was shot dead in a crossfire. We lived in number 13 and were unlucky, but Patrick was innocent, my mummy was innocent.” Maggie was nine years old and John was 11 at the time of Patrick’s death. Both siblings remarked: “We were only kids.” Mr Crawford further added: “It was a big, big loss to us when Patrick went – a big loss.” Solicitor Patricia Coyle, representing the family, described the verdict as “a very important verdict” for her clients and for other families “who are fighting for resolution” in legacy cases. Ms Coyle noted: “The Court of Appeal has already indicated how important the inquest and coronial system is here in Northern Ireland for these families.” She concluded: “Today is an absolute demonstration of that importance and the uncovering of information and conclusions which lead to justice and progress and healing for the families.”