However, investigators were unable to determine which vehicle had fired the shot.
âThe evidence also indicates that the officers who crewed the Shorlands were insufficiently trained in the use of the Browning machine guns, and that there was a lack of clear instruction as to how the weapons could be used to control public order without risking the lives of innocent bystanders,â Mrs Anderson said.
Mr McCabe was a soldier who had been at home in Divis on leave when he was fatally wounded.
Mrs Anderson concluded he was most likely to have been shot by one of two police marksmen positioned on the roof of Hastings Street police station.
Investigative Failures By Police Found Over Four Deaths Significant operational and investigative failures by the police over the deaths of four people during severe disorder in Belfast in August 1969 have been found, according to the Police Ombudsman.
In a 128-page report published , Marie Anderson concluded that nine-year-old Patrick Rooney, Hugh McCabe aged 20, Samuel McLarnon aged 27, and 28-year-old Michael Lynch, died after being struck by police gunfire during disturbances in the Divis and Ardoyne areas of the city.
The report found that even allowing for the tumultuous circumstances of the time, the RUC failed to effectively investigate any of the deaths.
PSNI chief constable urged to apologise over 1969 killings Nine-year-old Patrick Rooney was shot by the RUC in August 1969 in the bedroom of his home in the Divis Flats in west Belfast. Rebecca Black, PA 05 May, 2021 20:42
Northern Ireland’s chief constable has been urged to issue a public apology over the deaths of a boy and three men in Belfast in 1969.
Nine-year-old Patrick Rooney, Hugh McCabe, 20, Samuel McLarnon, 27, and Michael Lynch, 28 were fatally wounded by police gunfire during disturbances in the Divis and Ardoyne areas across August 14-15 1969.
Police Ombudsman Marie Anderson has published a critical report of police actions, describing “significant operational and investigative failures”.
Last modified on Wed 5 May 2021 19.46 EDT
Police blundered at the dawn of Northern Ireland’s Troubles by using vehicle-mounted machine guns in residential areas and not effectively investigating the ensuing deaths, including that of the first child killed in the conflict, according to a new report.
The Royal Ulster Constabulary (RUC) committed “significant operational and investigative failures” during the killing of four people in Belfast on 14 and 15 August 1969, the police ombudsman said in a report published on Thursday.
Patrick Rooney, nine, Hugh McCabe, 20, Samuel McLarnon, 27, and Michael Lynch, 28, died after officers opened fire during disturbances in the Divis and Ardoyne areas.