Soldier who shot Aidan McAnespie to stand trial

A TRIAL date is expected to be confirmed later this year for the soldier accued of the manslaughter of Aidan McAnespie in Aughnacloy over 33 years ago.

The 24 year old was shot dead as he passed by the British army checkpoint in his way to play for Aghaloo in a gaelic football match at their nearby grounds in February, 1988.

Earlier, a Judge ruled that there are sufficient grounds for 51 year old former Grenadier Guards soldier, David Holden, to stand trial. His application for ‘no case to answer’ was refused.

Lawyers for him had made an application for the charge to be dismissed, but prosecutors claimed that the accused’s explanation for firing is ‘implausable’ as a wet finer would not apply sufficient pressure to pull a trigger.

“Different views have been taken in the past as to whether the evidence is sufficient to warrant a charge of manslaughter being brought, but in my judgement it is,” the Judge said.