Share
But the Crown lawyer said the statement had a provenance and had been located in original case files that were re-examined by the police s historical inquiries team in 2010.
He said a gateway had been established to admit it as hearsay evidence to the trial with the agreement of both the defence and prosecution.
The family of Joe McCann arrive at Laganside Court with Solicitor Niall Murphy on Monday morning
Joe McCann s long IRA career in full over just seven years of attacks
1965 - Joins the IRA at the age of 17
Dec 3, 1965 - Convicted of possessing Army bayonets and being an IRA member and was sentenced to a year in prison.
By Press Association 2021
Joe McCann murder trial
An IRA leader shot dead by paratroopers in Belfast almost 50 years ago had allegedly been responsible for murdering 15 British soldiers, the trial of two veterans has heard.
On-the-run Official IRA commander Joe McCann, 24, was killed in the shooting in the Markets area of Belfast in April, 1972.
Forty nine years later, two former paratroopers, known as soldiers A and C, have gone on trial for his murder at Belfast Crown Court.
On the opening day of the non-jury trial, a prosecution lawyer told judge Mr Justice O’Hara the veterans had not been legally justified in opening fire on Mr McCann as he ran away from them.
Two British army veterans go on trial for shooting IRA man 50 years ago Joe McCann (24) was allegedly responsible for murder of 15 British soldiers
about 3 hours ago
Army Veterans protest outside Belfast Crown Court, in Belfast, on Monday as the trial opened of two former soldiers charged with the murder of Joe McCann almost 50 years ago. Photograph: Paul Faith/AFP via Getty Images
An IRA leader shot dead by paratroopers in Belfast almost 50 years ago had allegedly been responsible for murdering 15 British soldiers, the trial of two veterans has heard.
On-the-run Official IRA commander Joe McCann (24), was killed in the shooting in the Markets area of Belfast in April, 1972.
By Press Association 2021
Joe McCann murder trial
An IRA leader shot dead by paratroopers in Belfast almost 50 years ago had allegedly been responsible for murdering 15 British soldiers, the trial of two veterans has heard.
On-the-run Official IRA commander Joe McCann, 24, was killed in the shooting in the Markets area of Belfast in April, 1972.
Forty nine years later, two former paratroopers, known as soldiers A and C, have gone on trial for his murder at Belfast Crown Court.
On the opening day of the non-jury trial, a prosecution lawyer told judge Mr Justice O’Hara the veterans had not been legally justified in opening fire on Mr McCann as he ran away from them.
IRA man shot by paratroopers responsible for murdering 15 soldiers court told westerntelegraph.co.uk - get the latest breaking news, showbiz & celebrity photos, sport news & rumours, viral videos and top stories from westerntelegraph.co.uk Daily Mail and Mail on Sunday newspapers.