Tyrone families launch Shoot-to-Kill petition

The families of people shot dead by the crown forces in shoot-to-kill operations in County Tyrone have launched a petition in support of the family of Brazilian Jean Charles de Menezes, shot dead by British police in London two weeks ago.

Attending the launch was Sinn Féin Vice President Pat Doherty and Mark Thompson of the human rights group Relatives for Justice.

Among the 40 or so people who attended the launch were the families of the IRA Volunteers shot dead by the crown forces at Loughgall in 1987 and Cassie Mullin and Winnie Harte who sons Brian Mullin and Gerard and Martin Harte were ambushed and killed by the SAS at Drumnakilly in 1988

Also present was John Kilpatrick whose brother Volunteer Kevin Kilpatrick was shot dead by the UDR in 1974.

Speaking to An Phoblacht Mark Thompson said: "the accounts of the de Menezes shooting in London, as described by eyewitnesses, of the intent to kill had all the characteristic hallmarks of numerous shoot-to-kill incidents claiming hundreds of lives spanning three decades here including the all too familiar and characteristic headlines of the right-wing press in seeking to both justify the unjustifiable and vilify the victim immediately afterwards."