A new inquest at Belfast Coroner’s Court is examining the deaths of 10 civilians over three days in the Ballymurphy area from August 9th to 11th.On Monday, the two retired RUC officers gave evidence in person, while statements made in 1972 were read on behalf of two others who are now dead and one who cannot be traced.Mr McGookin said there were 250 to 300 loyalists at Springmartin, and described the crowd as initially “not hostile”.
He told the inquest that after a person had been taken from a house in Springfield Park by soldiers, there was talk among the loyalist crowd of “lynching” that person. Mr Jackson said shots were fired from the Moyard, Springfield Park and Ballymurphy areas, and soldiers returned fire, but added that he did not see the gunmen.