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11 March 1999 Edition

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Back issue: ``Self inflicted'' murder

``It is clearly possible that Mr. McCooey himself provided part of the force which led to his injuries'', claimed the judge whilst summing up in a Belfast court last Thursday. In a typical white-wash operation a British soldier was found `not guilty' of `unlawfully killing' Danny McCooey. So ridiculous was the verdict that Danny's father immediately protested verbally and was thrown bodily out of the court by members of the hated RUC.

Danny McCooey, a 20-year-old youth from Beechmount, Belfast, died in hospital in May two years ago. he died three weeks after being viciously beaten in the stomach with a rifle butt by Gunner Frederick Heads of the 25th Field Regiment of the Royal Artillery.

Danny McCooey and his friend Michael Masterson were out for their usual Saturday night's entertainment on April 30th 1977. They spent the later part of the evening in the 3 C's Social Club and left shortly after midnight to get a taxi home from Castle Street.

An Phoblacht, March 10th 1979


An Phoblacht
44 Parnell Sq.
Dublin 1
Ireland