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Rowntree inquest: soldier raises doubts that he fired fatal shot Rowntree inquest: soldier raises doubts that he fired fatal shot
(35 minutes later)
A soldier who fired a rubber bullet that killed a Northern Ireland schoolboy more than 40 years ago has told an inquest he has no regrets.A soldier who fired a rubber bullet that killed a Northern Ireland schoolboy more than 40 years ago has told an inquest he has no regrets.
The former sergeant major, whose identity is protected, told Belfast coroner’s court he had no concerns about his conduct that day, insisting he was simply doing his job.The former sergeant major, whose identity is protected, told Belfast coroner’s court he had no concerns about his conduct that day, insisting he was simply doing his job.
Giving evidence by videolink from an undisclosed location, the man known only as Soldier B said: “I have nothing to be reproachful about.”Giving evidence by videolink from an undisclosed location, the man known only as Soldier B said: “I have nothing to be reproachful about.”
Eleven-year-old Francis Rowntree died on 22 April 1972 – two days after he was struck on the head by a rubber bullet while walking through the Divis Flats complex close to Falls Road in Belfast.Eleven-year-old Francis Rowntree died on 22 April 1972 – two days after he was struck on the head by a rubber bullet while walking through the Divis Flats complex close to Falls Road in Belfast.
The case is mired in controversy with disputed claims on whether the boy was hit directly or injured by a ricochet, and if the bullet had been doctored to make it potentially cause more harm.The case is mired in controversy with disputed claims on whether the boy was hit directly or injured by a ricochet, and if the bullet had been doctored to make it potentially cause more harm.
Soldier B, who served with the Royal Anglian Regiment, had 17 years of experience in 1972 and was on his first tour of duty in Northern Ireland, the court was told.Soldier B, who served with the Royal Anglian Regiment, had 17 years of experience in 1972 and was on his first tour of duty in Northern Ireland, the court was told.
He said he had no memory of the incident involving Francis but raised doubts that he fired the fatal shot. Asked if he had anything to say to the boy’s family, Soldier B added: “There is nothing to say that the round I fired hit their son.He said he had no memory of the incident involving Francis but raised doubts that he fired the fatal shot. Asked if he had anything to say to the boy’s family, Soldier B added: “There is nothing to say that the round I fired hit their son.
“If it did, for that I am very, very sorry. But there’s no proof, to me, that’s what happened. It was certainly not fired at somebody not rioting. Everybody there was deeply intent on making life deeply uncomfortable.”“If it did, for that I am very, very sorry. But there’s no proof, to me, that’s what happened. It was certainly not fired at somebody not rioting. Everybody there was deeply intent on making life deeply uncomfortable.”
Fiona Doherty QC, representing the Rowntree family, said the evidence available to the court, including Ministry of Defence (MoD) documents, identified Soldier B as the person who fired the rubber bullet that hit Francis.Fiona Doherty QC, representing the Rowntree family, said the evidence available to the court, including Ministry of Defence (MoD) documents, identified Soldier B as the person who fired the rubber bullet that hit Francis.
During cross-examination by an MoD barrister, Soldier B, who has had heart and memory problems for years, said he felt victimised.During cross-examination by an MoD barrister, Soldier B, who has had heart and memory problems for years, said he felt victimised.
“After 44 years I find it almost impossible to remember any incident. I feel as though, for whatever reason, I am being targeted and I don’t fully understand why,” he added. “After 44 years I find it almost impossible to remember any incident. I feel as though, for whatever reason, I am being targeted and I don’t fully understand why,” he said.