Soldiers used excessive force in 1971 Ballymurphy killings, finds inquest into the deaths

Good afternoon
Today's news is dominated by the verdict from the inquest into the Ballymurphy killings in 1971. The coroner, Mrs Justice Keegan, issued her findings into the highly controversial killings, which happened after violence erupted on August 9 when soldiers moved into republican strongholds to arrest IRA suspects. She said that “all of the deceased were entirely innocent of wrongdoing on the day in question”.
You can follow our extensive coverage of the verdict both online and in tomorrow's print edition of the News Letter.
In Coronavirus news, the Department of Health recorded one additional Covid-19 related death and 89 new infections in Northern Ireland in the last 24 hours. It takes the coronavirus death toll since the beginning of the pandemic to 2,148.
Nearly half-a-million people in Northern Ireland, more than a third of the entire adult population, has now had two coronavirus vaccine doses. Health Minister Robin Swann said the vaccination programme has “already saved many lives”.
You can follow our Coronavirus Live Blog for all the latest Covid-19 news.
Have a good evening
Michael Cousins
Deputy digital editor
By taking out a subscription to the News Letter you can help us to continue to provide trusted fact checked journalism investigating the issues that matter to people in Northern Ireland.
A Digital+ package starts from only £1 month and gives you unlimited access to the website, you'll see 70% fewer ads, you'll get full access to our online puzzles section and access to the newspaper edition app on mobile, desktop and tablet
You can see all the options here.