Thierafurth Inn: Millions in compensation for 1972 UVF gun attack

Thierafurth Inn: Millions in compensation for 1972 UVF gun attack

Eight survivors pursued legal action alleging state involvement in the attack. Their claims centered on accusations that authorities had colluded in the incident.

Four years prior, the High Court determined that the Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) had not conducted an adequate investigation into the matter. Patrick Gribben, one of the individuals injured in the shooting, expressed that the trauma continues to haunt him, stating, “It’s something you don’t get over.”

Gavin Booth, the solicitor representing the survivors, described the settlement as a “proper acknowledgement of the pain and trauma caused.” He also criticized the state’s handling of the case, noting that the perpetrators “were protected by the state and never brought to justice” instead of facing prosecution. Another survivor, John McAvoy, reflected on the outcome by calling it “a victory for us,” while acknowledging that “compensation doesn’t change what happened and doesn’t change that those who did it are still out there.”

Sinn Féin MP Chris Hazzard echoed similar sentiments, calling the day a positive one but emphasizing his preference for seeing justice served in court, saying he would have “much rather have seen justice done and those perpetrators brought before the courts.” The civil lawsuit spanned over 11 years before reaching its conclusion

Read the full article from The BBC here: Read More