The family of William McGreanery, a man shot by a British soldier over 50 years ago in Londonderry, has been awarded a significant financial settlement. This resolution comes after decades of pursuing justice for McGreanery, who died on September 15, 1971, one week after being shot by a soldier from an Army observation post. The family has not disclosed the settlement amount due to confidentiality agreements.
McGreanery’s death occurred during a tumultuous period in Northern Ireland’s history. He was shot by a member of the 1st Battalion Grenadier Guards while he was reportedly unarmed and posed no threat. An investigation by the Historical Enquiries Team (HET) in June 2011 concluded that McGreanery was not carrying any weapons at the time of the incident.
In subsequent years, there were official apologies from high-ranking military officials, including an apology from the Chief of the General Staff of the British Army and another from armed forces minister Andrew Robathan in 2013.
The family feels that while they have received some acknowledgment of their loss through these apologies, true justice remains elusive. Billy McGreanery, William’s nephew, emphasized that while they had fought hard for financial retribution, it did not equate to justice.
The Northern Ireland Attorney General recently ordered a new inquest into McGreanery’s death after the Public Prosecution Service (PPS) determined there was insufficient evidence to prosecute the soldiers involved. The McGreanery family has requested a review of this decision.
Gary Duffy, the family’s solicitor, remarked that the settlement represents a long-awaited recognition of their struggle for truth and justice. He characterized McGreanery’s shooting as “unjustified and unjustifiable,” underscoring the importance of legacy civil actions in recovering truth and obtaining justice for victims' families.
Duffy also highlighted the necessity for legislative changes to enable more effective legal recourse beyond current limitations imposed by the Legacy Act. The family remains hopeful that reinstating their inquest will bring them closer to achieving meaningful justice.
As this case continues to unfold, it serves as a reminder of the ongoing complexities surrounding historical conflicts and their lasting impacts on individuals and families seeking closure and accountability.
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