Trial of soldier for manslaughter of Aidan McAnespie to get underway

A BRITISH soldier will next week stand trial for the manslaughter of Aidan McAnespie in Aughnacloy more than 34 years ago.

The soldier, David Holden, will appear at Laganside Courthouse charged with the manslaughter of Mr McAnespie while on his way to a GAA match at the grounds of Aghaloo GAA in February 1988.

But Amnesty International has this week warned that the trial could be the last of the Troubles-related killings if the British Government’s plans to impose a statute of limitations on Troubles prosecutions succeeds.

The McAnespie family is calling on the Government to abandon these plans and ensure that every victim has access to justice.

Sean McAnespie, brother of Aidan, said every grieving family deserves a chance for justice.

“We have been forced to wait in purgatory for the past 34 years without any real opportunity for closure, but you never give up,” he added.

“Aidan was simply on his way to a football match and in an instant, he had his entire life ahead of him snatched away. The passage of time has not diminished the pain of losing Aidan.

“The trial is the justice system having the freedom to do its job. All victims deserve truth, justice and accountability.”

Darragh Mackin, solicitor for the family, said that the case is the prime example of why there can be no statute of limitation in the context of legacy investigations.

“The family have campaigned for years to ensure that the relevant evidence is placed before a Court of law,” he said.

“Today signifies the light at the end of a dark tunnel, where that evidence will be placed before a Court, and the
criminal justice process will now
follow.

“Today is a testament to the McAnespie family’s commitment in ensuring that no stone was left unturned in their quest for truth, justice and accountability for Aidan’s death.”

Grainne Teggart, Northern Ireland Campaigns manager at Amnesty, said the trial represents the due process that the British Government is seeking to shut down for victims and demonstrates clearly why plans to legislate for a de facto amnesty must not succeed.

She added, “The UK Government’s proposals are not only a deeply concerning interference in the justice system, but they have served to shamefully exacerbate the pain felt by victims who have been fighting for decades for truth, justice, and accountability to which all are entitled.”