No one knows why the Miami Showband massacre, the Springhill massacre or the Westrock massacre have "strangely little traction in Britain" even though they happened inside the UK within living memory. It's a mystery.
August 17, 2025 at 11:17 AM
No one knows why the Miami Showband massacre, the Springhill massacre or the Westrock massacre have "strangely little traction in Britain" even though they happened inside the UK within living memory. It's a mystery.
Over 50 years later, a coroner confirmed that the 5 people British soldiers shot dead in West #Belfast in 1972 should not have been killed. We've supported the Springhill/Westrock families for years; today's findings are a vindication of their long fight.
Belfast Court Vindicates Springhill/Westrock Families’ Struggle for Truth - Human Rights First
Belfast, Northern Ireland — More than fifty years after the Springhill/Westrock killings in West Belfast, a coroner has concluded that the five people shot dead by British soldiers on 9 July 1972 sho...
humanrightsfirst.org
April 30, 2026 at 6:31 PM
Over 50 years later, a coroner confirmed that the 5 people British soldiers shot dead in West #Belfast in 1972 should not have been killed. We've supported the Springhill/Westrock families for years; today's findings are a vindication of their long fight.
The truth of what happened in west Belfast in July 1972 has been formally acknowledged, as the Springhill/Westrock inquest delivered a damning verdict on the actions of the British Army, concluding that soldiers “lost control” when they opened fire.
Truth at last for Springhill/Westrock families
The truth of what happened in west Belfast in July 1972 has beenformally acknowledged, as the Springhill/Westrock inquest delivered adamning verdict on the actions of the British Army, concluding that...
republican-news.org
May 8, 2026 at 8:58 AM
The truth of what happened in west Belfast in July 1972 has been formally acknowledged, as the Springhill/Westrock inquest delivered a damning verdict on the actions of the British Army, concluding that soldiers “lost control” when they opened fire.
Starmer apologises to families of Springhill/Westrock families
www.derryjournal.com/news/people/...
www.derryjournal.com/news/people/...
June 3, 2026 at 3:02 PM
Starmer apologises to families of Springhill/Westrock families
www.derryjournal.com/news/people/...
www.derryjournal.com/news/people/...
British soldiers lost control in 1972 Springhill shootings, inquest finds
British soldiers lost control in 1972 Springhill shootings, inquest finds
Coroner says none of the five civilians killed in incident in Belfast during Troubles should have been shot
British army soldiers “lost control” and used force that was “not reasonable” in the killing of five civilians in Northern Ireland in 1972, an inquest judge has ruled.
Four of the victims – two teenagers, a father of six and a Catholic priest – posed no risk when they were shot in the Springhill and Westrock areas of west Belfast on 9 July 1972, Mr Justice Scoffield said on Thursday. Continue reading...
www.theguardian.com
April 30, 2026 at 6:38 PM
British soldiers lost control in 1972 Springhill shootings, inquest finds
British army soldiers ‘overreacted’ and lost control’, inquest into shooting dead of five people in Belfast finds.
A priest, three teenagers and a man in his 30s were murdered by British soldiers in the Springhill and Westrock areas of west Belfast in July 1972
www.irishtimes.com/crime-law/co...
A priest, three teenagers and a man in his 30s were murdered by British soldiers in the Springhill and Westrock areas of west Belfast in July 1972
www.irishtimes.com/crime-law/co...
British army soldiers ‘overreacted’ and lost control’, inquest into shooting dead of five people in Belfast finds
A priest, three teenagers and a man in his 30s died in the Springhill and Westrock areas of west Belfast in July 1972
www.irishtimes.com
April 30, 2026 at 8:27 PM
British army soldiers ‘overreacted’ and lost control’, inquest into shooting dead of five people in Belfast finds.
A priest, three teenagers and a man in his 30s were murdered by British soldiers in the Springhill and Westrock areas of west Belfast in July 1972
www.irishtimes.com/crime-law/co...
A priest, three teenagers and a man in his 30s were murdered by British soldiers in the Springhill and Westrock areas of west Belfast in July 1972
www.irishtimes.com/crime-law/co...
A coroner has ruled that British soldiers did not use reasonable force in the 1972 Springhill/Westrock massacre in west Belfast, finding that five innocent civilians, including a priest and three children, were killed in aimed shots and posed no threat.
Flash: Springhill-Westrock Inquest vindicates families
A coroner has ruled that British soldiers did not use reasonable forcein the 1972 Springhill and Westrock massacre in west Belfast, findingthat five innocent civilians — including a priest, a father-o...
republican-news.org
April 30, 2026 at 3:57 PM
A coroner has ruled that British soldiers did not use reasonable force in the 1972 Springhill/Westrock massacre in west Belfast, finding that five innocent civilians, including a priest and three children, were killed in aimed shots and posed no threat.
Starmer apologizes to the families of those murdered by British soldiers in Springhill / Westrock in 1972. But how does this sit with the enduring Legacy Act, which Labour has maintained, and which has force-halted other British Army-related death inquiries in the North? www.rte.ie/news/uk/2026...
Springhill families welcome UK prime minister's apology
The families of those killed in the Springhill shootings have welcomed the apology of UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer describing it as a significant and long-overdue acknowledgment of the truth establi...
www.rte.ie
June 4, 2026 at 7:24 AM
Starmer apologizes to the families of those murdered by British soldiers in Springhill / Westrock in 1972. But how does this sit with the enduring Legacy Act, which Labour has maintained, and which has force-halted other British Army-related death inquiries in the North? www.rte.ie/news/uk/2026...
Great pride seeing our national flag flying over the Westrock memorial garden in West Belfast this evening 🇮🇪
Honouring the memory of those murdered by colonial British crown forces - innocent people, 3 of them children, vindicated in the Belfast courts this day.
#Springhill
Honouring the memory of those murdered by colonial British crown forces - innocent people, 3 of them children, vindicated in the Belfast courts this day.
#Springhill
April 30, 2026 at 9:40 PM
Great pride seeing our national flag flying over the Westrock memorial garden in West Belfast this evening 🇮🇪
Honouring the memory of those murdered by colonial British crown forces - innocent people, 3 of them children, vindicated in the Belfast courts this day.
#Springhill
Honouring the memory of those murdered by colonial British crown forces - innocent people, 3 of them children, vindicated in the Belfast courts this day.
#Springhill
Mary Lou McDonald commends Springhill/Westrock families on their steadfast pursuit of truth
"Their determination and courage has ensured that the events of 9 July 1972 are now openly acknowledged."
sinnfein.ie/news/mary-lo...
"Their determination and courage has ensured that the events of 9 July 1972 are now openly acknowledged."
sinnfein.ie/news/mary-lo...
Mary Lou McDonald commends Springhill/Westrock families on their steadfast pursuit of truth - Sinn Féin
Speaking today, Sinn Féin leader Mary Lou McDonald said: “I commend the families of the Springhill/Westrock victims for their steadfast pursuit of truth over more than 50 years. Their determination an...
sinnfein.ie
April 30, 2026 at 7:10 PM
Mary Lou McDonald commends Springhill/Westrock families on their steadfast pursuit of truth
"Their determination and courage has ensured that the events of 9 July 1972 are now openly acknowledged."
sinnfein.ie/news/mary-lo...
"Their determination and courage has ensured that the events of 9 July 1972 are now openly acknowledged."
sinnfein.ie/news/mary-lo...
Bloody Sunday was in 1972. They didn't tell the (partial) truth about it until 2010, and even then through gritted teeth and with major pushback in the Tory party and it's pet newspapers. The Springhill and Westrock massacres of civilians by the🇬🇧army are unheard of in Britain #Ireland
#derry
#derry
“Brits have been surprised and annoyed to find that Indian and Irish people, though born long after these events, cannot easily move on from the 1919 Amritsar Massacre or from Bloody Sunday in Derry.”
Neal Ascherson · It hurts, but it’s holy: Consequences of Empire
Myopic and flattering as their take on empire history has been, the Brits never drugged themselves into supposing that...
www.lrb.co.uk
May 18, 2024 at 7:21 PM
A coroner is delivering findings following an inquest into the killing of five people in shootings involving the British Army in west Belfast 50 years ago.
A priest and three teenagers were among those killed in the Springhill and Westrock areas on 9 July 1972.
jrnl.ie/7028067
A priest and three teenagers were among those killed in the Springhill and Westrock areas on 9 July 1972.
jrnl.ie/7028067
Coroner delivering findings on fatal shootings of five people involving British Army in Belfast
Former Sinn Féin president Gerry Adams is among those watching on following an inquest into the shootings at Springhill in 1972.
jrnl.ie
April 30, 2026 at 1:52 PM
A coroner is delivering findings following an inquest into the killing of five people in shootings involving the British Army in west Belfast 50 years ago.
A priest and three teenagers were among those killed in the Springhill and Westrock areas on 9 July 1972.
jrnl.ie/7028067
A priest and three teenagers were among those killed in the Springhill and Westrock areas on 9 July 1972.
jrnl.ie/7028067
Sixteen years after the publication of the Saville Report and the public apology for Bloody Sunday, join Professor Phil Scraton, the Springhill/Westrock families and the Creeslough community for a discussion on truth recovery, accountability & justice.
30 June | 7pm
bstjuneanniversary.eventbrite.ie
30 June | 7pm
bstjuneanniversary.eventbrite.ie
Saville Anniversary: The Impact of Independent Truth Panels
From Bloody Sunday to Springhill and Creeslough: lessons in truth recovery, accountability and justice.
bstjuneanniversary.eventbrite.ie
June 9, 2026 at 4:05 PM
Sixteen years after the publication of the Saville Report and the public apology for Bloody Sunday, join Professor Phil Scraton, the Springhill/Westrock families and the Creeslough community for a discussion on truth recovery, accountability & justice.
30 June | 7pm
bstjuneanniversary.eventbrite.ie
30 June | 7pm
bstjuneanniversary.eventbrite.ie
Thanks Irish America magazine for this on 1972 Belfast Springhill/Westrock killings.
A coroner has ruled British soldiers shot dead 3 children, a priest & a local man.
We @humanrightsfirst.org supported the families in their long campaign for truth
#speirgorm
www.irishamerica.com/2026/05/belf...
A coroner has ruled British soldiers shot dead 3 children, a priest & a local man.
We @humanrightsfirst.org supported the families in their long campaign for truth
#speirgorm
www.irishamerica.com/2026/05/belf...
May 16, 2026 at 11:16 AM
Thanks Irish America magazine for this on 1972 Belfast Springhill/Westrock killings.
A coroner has ruled British soldiers shot dead 3 children, a priest & a local man.
We @humanrightsfirst.org supported the families in their long campaign for truth
#speirgorm
www.irishamerica.com/2026/05/belf...
A coroner has ruled British soldiers shot dead 3 children, a priest & a local man.
We @humanrightsfirst.org supported the families in their long campaign for truth
#speirgorm
www.irishamerica.com/2026/05/belf...
The families of those killed in what was long known as the ‘forgotten massacre’ have welcomed an apology from British Prime Minister Keir Starmer.
British apology to Springhill/Westrock families
The families of those killed in what was long known as the ‘forgottenmassacre’ have welcomed an apology from British Prime Minister KeirStarmer.
republican-news.org
June 4, 2026 at 2:12 AM
The families of those killed in what was long known as the ‘forgotten massacre’ have welcomed an apology from British Prime Minister Keir Starmer.
September:
⦿ 1972 Bloody Sunday massacre, after 5 decades of campaigning for justice—Soldier F will be prosecuted
⦿ 1972 confession under torture—Belfast’s Court of Appeal will hear the case of Patrick Laurence O’Neill
⦿ 1972 Springhill/Westrock massacre—result of coroner’s inquest is expected
⦿ 1972 Bloody Sunday massacre, after 5 decades of campaigning for justice—Soldier F will be prosecuted
⦿ 1972 confession under torture—Belfast’s Court of Appeal will hear the case of Patrick Laurence O’Neill
⦿ 1972 Springhill/Westrock massacre—result of coroner’s inquest is expected
This month, Northern Ireland’s courts may deliver long-awaited answers for families of the 1969–1998 conflict. Our @dooleydooley.bsky.social and @suchitauppal.bsky.social write in @justsecurity.org on the appeal of Laurence O’Neill’s torture-tainted conviction, the Bloody Sunday trial, and beyond.
September Could Finally Bring Answers for Northern Ireland Families
Northern Ireland’s courts may deliver long-awaited answers for survivors and bereaved families of the conflict from 1969 to 1998.
www.justsecurity.org
September 5, 2025 at 11:09 PM
September:
⦿ 1972 Bloody Sunday massacre, after 5 decades of campaigning for justice—Soldier F will be prosecuted
⦿ 1972 confession under torture—Belfast’s Court of Appeal will hear the case of Patrick Laurence O’Neill
⦿ 1972 Springhill/Westrock massacre—result of coroner’s inquest is expected
⦿ 1972 Bloody Sunday massacre, after 5 decades of campaigning for justice—Soldier F will be prosecuted
⦿ 1972 confession under torture—Belfast’s Court of Appeal will hear the case of Patrick Laurence O’Neill
⦿ 1972 Springhill/Westrock massacre—result of coroner’s inquest is expected
The families of five people shot dead in west Belfast have accused the UK government of “deliberate silence” following the findings of an inquest.
A coroner concluded that British Army soldiers “did not use reasonable force” in the shootings at Springhill/Westrock on 9 July 1972.
jrnl.ie/7043964
A coroner concluded that British Army soldiers “did not use reasonable force” in the shootings at Springhill/Westrock on 9 July 1972.
jrnl.ie/7043964
Families of five people shot dead by British Army accuse UK government of ‘silence’ after inquest
The inquest found that British Army soldiers ‘did not use reasonable force’ in the shooting of five people in west Belfast in 1972.
jrnl.ie
May 18, 2026 at 7:35 PM
The families of five people shot dead in west Belfast have accused the UK government of “deliberate silence” following the findings of an inquest.
A coroner concluded that British Army soldiers “did not use reasonable force” in the shootings at Springhill/Westrock on 9 July 1972.
jrnl.ie/7043964
A coroner concluded that British Army soldiers “did not use reasonable force” in the shootings at Springhill/Westrock on 9 July 1972.
jrnl.ie/7043964
Thinking of these courageous families today. #Springhill-Westrock
Two days, one British Army regiment, two estates on either side of one road; two completely different standards of British justice. July 9, 1972: British soldiers murdered 3 teenagers including a young girl, a family man, and the local priest in the Springhill-Westrock Massacre
April 30, 2026 at 4:57 AM
Thinking of these courageous families today. #Springhill-Westrock
“Following the release of the report, the victims’ relatives said the “burden of blame and prejudice that has lingered for so long” over their loved ones had been lifted.”
www.irishtimes.com/politics/202...
www.irishtimes.com/politics/202...
Starmer apologises for British army ‘overreaction’ in 1972 killing of five people in Belfast
Coroner found at least four of those shot dead in Springhill Westrock massacre were unarmed, including a girl shot in face
www.irishtimes.com
June 3, 2026 at 3:02 PM
“Following the release of the report, the victims’ relatives said the “burden of blame and prejudice that has lingered for so long” over their loved ones had been lifted.”
www.irishtimes.com/politics/202...
www.irishtimes.com/politics/202...
#MichelleOneill I want to pay tribute to the families of those murdered in the #Springhill/Westrock massacre by the British army who for more than five decades have campaigned for truth, justice and acknowledgement.
Despite obstacles, challenges and setbacks, they never gave up and never gave in.
Despite obstacles, challenges and setbacks, they never gave up and never gave in.
June 3, 2026 at 12:05 PM
#MichelleOneill I want to pay tribute to the families of those murdered in the #Springhill/Westrock massacre by the British army who for more than five decades have campaigned for truth, justice and acknowledgement.
Despite obstacles, challenges and setbacks, they never gave up and never gave in.
Despite obstacles, challenges and setbacks, they never gave up and never gave in.
British army soldiers ‘lost control’, inquest into shooting dead of five people in Belfast finds
A priest, three teenagers and a man in his 30s died in the Springhill and Westrock areas of west Belfast in July 1972
© Liam McBurney
Relatives of those killed in the Springhill and Westrock...
A priest, three teenagers and a man in his 30s died in the Springhill and Westrock areas of west Belfast in July 1972
© Liam McBurney
Relatives of those killed in the Springhill and Westrock...
British army soldiers ‘lost control’, inquest into shooting dead of five people in Belfast finds
A priest, three teenagers and a man in his 30s died in the Springhill and Westrock areas of west Belfast in July 1972
www.irishtimes.com
April 30, 2026 at 3:57 PM
British army soldiers ‘lost control’, inquest into shooting dead of five people in Belfast finds
A priest, three teenagers and a man in his 30s died in the Springhill and Westrock areas of west Belfast in July 1972
© Liam McBurney
Relatives of those killed in the Springhill and Westrock...
A priest, three teenagers and a man in his 30s died in the Springhill and Westrock areas of west Belfast in July 1972
© Liam McBurney
Relatives of those killed in the Springhill and Westrock...
Coroner to deliver findings on Belfast killing of five people by British army
A priest, three teenagers and a man in his 30s died in the Springhill and Westrock areas of west Belfast in July 1972
© Liam McBurney
Relatives of those killed in the Springhill and Westrock shootings in 1972,...
A priest, three teenagers and a man in his 30s died in the Springhill and Westrock areas of west Belfast in July 1972
© Liam McBurney
Relatives of those killed in the Springhill and Westrock shootings in 1972,...
Coroner to deliver findings on Belfast killing of five people by British army
A priest, three teenagers and a man in his 30s died in the Springhill and Westrock areas of west Belfast in July 1972
www.irishtimes.com
April 30, 2026 at 7:11 AM
Coroner to deliver findings on Belfast killing of five people by British army
A priest, three teenagers and a man in his 30s died in the Springhill and Westrock areas of west Belfast in July 1972
© Liam McBurney
Relatives of those killed in the Springhill and Westrock shootings in 1972,...
A priest, three teenagers and a man in his 30s died in the Springhill and Westrock areas of west Belfast in July 1972
© Liam McBurney
Relatives of those killed in the Springhill and Westrock shootings in 1972,...
Full coroner’s court verdict now available on Springhill Westrock killings when British soldiers shot dead five civilians one evening in Belfast in 1972;
640-page ruling here share.google/hUe8AKl5k2l3...
#speirgorm
640-page ruling here share.google/hUe8AKl5k2l3...
#speirgorm
May 6, 2026 at 6:31 PM
Full coroner’s court verdict now available on Springhill Westrock killings when British soldiers shot dead five civilians one evening in Belfast in 1972;
640-page ruling here share.google/hUe8AKl5k2l3...
#speirgorm
640-page ruling here share.google/hUe8AKl5k2l3...
#speirgorm
Thinking of the families from Springhill and Westrock who get the verdict on the murder and injuries of their loved ones tomorrow after 54yrs fighting for justice #SpringhillWestrockMassacre #TimeForTruth #Endthegenocide
April 29, 2026 at 7:40 PM
Thinking of the families from Springhill and Westrock who get the verdict on the murder and injuries of their loved ones tomorrow after 54yrs fighting for justice #SpringhillWestrockMassacre #TimeForTruth #Endthegenocide