A Belfast coroner ruled the force used against 16-year-old John Dougal during shootings in west Belfast on 9 July 1972 was not reasonable. Mr Justice Scoffield delivered findings at Belfast Coroner's Court on Thursday. The inquest examined deaths of five people in the Springhill estate: John Dougal, 16; Patrick Butler, 38; Father Noel Fitzpatrick, 42; David McCafferty, 15; and Margaret Gargan, 13.

The judge stated Dougal was more than likely running away and taking cover when shot. He concluded Dougal received a single bullet to the chest from Soldier A in Corry's Yard, a direct hit not at close range. No evidence showed Soldier A shouted a warning before firing. The coroner could not determine if Dougal was armed at the time.

Dougal belonged to Na Fianna Éireann but had not joined the adult IRA, the inquest heard. No military intelligence indicated IRA membership. Soldiers claimed they fired at gunmen.

Families of the dead arrived at court holding a banner reading 'time for truth'. Supporters including Junior Minister Aisling Reilly, West Belfast MP Paul Maskey, and People Before Profit MLA Gerry Carroll greeted them with applause.

The inquest opened in February 2023 and received final submissions in April 2024, hours before the Legacy Act deadline ended Troubles-related cases on 1 May 2024. A 1973 inquest had returned an open verdict. Northern Ireland Attorney General John Larkin ordered the new inquest in 2014.

Families of Butler, Gargan, Dougal, and McCafferty issued a joint statement before findings. They described 54 years of grief and said initial probes failed to establish facts. They called those killed innocent civilians and the force unjustified.