Inquest into death of 19 year old Derry-Londonderry man to begin in December

by Gráinne Connolly

An inquest into the death of Mr Seamus Bradley on 31st of July 1972 is listed to commence at Londonderry Courthouse on 11th December 2017. 

Seamus, who was 19 at the time, died as a result of the injuries sustained during 'Operation Motorman' in the Creggan area of Derry-Londonderry. 

(Funeral of Seamus Bradley, IRA member killed during Operation Motorman, July 1972)
 

This particular operation was an attempt on behalf of the British Army to gain control of the Republican 'no-go' areas in the city. 

It was also one of the largest British Military operations since the Suez crisis of 1956 and the biggest in Ireland since the War of Independence.

In the run up, around 4,000 additional troops were drafted into Northern Ireland, with around 22,000 troops becoming involved, including 27 infantry and two armoured battalion. 

The operation in Derry itself involved over 1,000 troops and 300 army vehicles, who invaded the Bogside and Creggan areas which became known as 'Free Derry'. 

During this mission two people were killed in the Creggan area; 15 year old Daniel Hegarty and Mr Bradley. 

Daniel was shot in the head twice and died instantly as a result, his cousin Christopher, aged 16, was also shot but survived the injuries. 

An inquest revealed that neither of the boys posed a threat to the army, however the soldier was never prosecuted. 

(15 year old Daniel Hegarty killed during Operation Motorman, July 1972)

In 19 year old Seamus' case, a member of the Provisional IRA, his family have alleged that he was shot while running from the area and sustained additional injuries while in custody of soldiers. 

However, the British Army claim he was shot while up a tree at Bishop's Field and was injured further when falling from the tree. 

Prior to the inquest of Mr Bradley's death which will start in December, the coroner, His Honour Judge Kinney has made an appeal for information. 

He has requested that if anyone can assist this inquest in examining his death, they should make contact with the Coroners Service.

The coroner has incidicated "there may, for example, be persons with relevant information concerning the death but who have not yet brought that information to the attention of the authorities of persons who were in the vicinity of Bishop's Field or the 'Creggan Shops'. 

Anyone with information is urged to contact the Coroners Service for Northern Ireland.