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1 July 1999 Edition

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Back issue: Beserk Brit shoots Belfast man

Another British soldier has gone beserk in West Belfast, just four months after the incident involving trooper Eddie Maggs,who shot dead his corporal and seriously wounded another soldier before being killed himself.

On this occasion however,the crazy Brit attempted to murder six young people standing outside a chemist's shop in Andersonstown. Late last Monday night, 18-year-old Private Gary Gibson of the 1st Battalion King's Regiment absconded with a loaded rifle from Fort Monagh army fort near Turf Lodge. He had only another 24 hours to serve in Belfast before the four-month tour of the King's men was over.

William Boyle from Whitecliff Cresent had just left the Glenowen Inn at 11.30pm with five friends when they noticed the lone soldier coming down the road.

The lads had a `carry out' of drink and proceeded to make their way to the Gransha shops. At a chemist's shop they then noticed a foot patrol coming down Gransha Avenue, not far from where Gibson was. Gibson crossed the Glen Road, took aim at the six lads in the full view of the other soldiers, and opened fire. William Boyle says: ``He fired one shot at us which went through my leather coat and struck my friend. It went through his hand, and then through his side. We then dived for cover on the ground''.

An Phoblacht 30 June,1979.


An Phoblacht
44 Parnell Sq.
Dublin 1
Ireland