Springhill Inquest

Inquest into Deaths at Springhill 9 July 1972

The inquest will investigate the deaths of five civilians on the evening of 9 July 1972 in the Springhill / Westrock area of Belfast when they sustained fatal bullet wounds.  The inquest will examine the five deaths that occurred following shooting on this date, namely:

  • The death of John Dougal, 16 years old;
  • The death of Patrick Butler, 39 years old;
  • The death of Father Noel Fitzpatrick, 40 years old;
  • The death of David McCafferty, 15 years old;
  • The death of Margaret Gargan, 13 years old.

Press Notices

Press Notice - Springhill Inquest - 17 February 2023

Legacy Inquest Unit - Appeal for Information - Springhill Inquest

 

Judgments 

In the matter of an inquest into the deaths of John Dougal Patrick Butler Fr Noel Fitzpatrick David McCafferty and Margaret Gargan (The Springhill Inquest) [2026] NICoroner 2

In the matter of an inquest into the deaths of Dougal, Butler, Fitzpatrick, McCafferty and Gargan (‘The Springhill Inquest’) - Ruling (Number 1) On the Ministry of Defence request for documentation to be sought by the Coroner [2023] NICoroner 24

In the matter of an inquest into the deaths of John Dougal, Patrick Butler, Noel Fitzpatrick, David McCafferty and Margaret Gargan (The Springhill Inquest) - Ruling No. 2 on applications for PIP status by Brian Pettigrew and SM16 [2023] NICoroner 25

Ruling (Number 4) on Additional Applications for PIP Status from Former Military Witnesses [2024] NICoroner 7

In the matter of an Inquest into the deaths of John Dougal, Patrick Butler, Noel Fitzpatrick, David McCafferty and Margaret Gargan (‘The Springhill’) - Ruling (Number 5) on Privilege Against Self-Incrimination and Rule 9 Warnings for Civilian Witnesses [2024] NICoroner 8

In the matter of an inquest into the deaths of John Dougal, Patrick Butler, Noel Fitzpatrick, David McCafferty and Margaret Gargan (The Springhill Inquest) - Ruling No. 6 on application by military witnesses for anonymity, screening and remote evidence [2024] NICoroner 9

In the matter of an inquest into the deaths of John Dougal, Patrick Butler, Noel Fitzpatrick, David McCafferty and Margaret Gargan (The Springhill Inquest) - Ruling Number 7 - Application by Brian Pettigrew for remote evidence and special measures [2026] NICoroner 11

In the matter of an inquest into the deaths of John Dougal, Patrick Butler, Noel Fitzpatrick, David McCafferty and Margaret Gargan (The Springhill Inquest) - Ruling Number 8 - Application by SM207 for anonymity [2024] NICoroner 12

In the matter of an inquest into the deaths of Dougal, Butler, Fitzpatrick, McCafferty and Gargan (‘The Springhill Inquest') - Ruling (Number 9) on an application by SM16 for Special Measures [2024] NICoroner 16

In the matter of an inquest into the deaths of Dougal, Butler, Fitzpatrick, McCafferty and Gargan (‘The Springhill Inquest’) - Ruling (Number 10) On an application by Martin Dudley for Medical Excusal [2024] NICoroner 19

In the matter of an inquest into the deaths of John Dougal, Patrick Butler, Noel Fitzpatrick, David McCafferty and Margaret Gargan (‘THE SPRINGHILL INQUEST’) Ruling (Number 11) On public interest immunity [2024] NICoroner 33

In the matter of an inquest into the deaths of John Dougal, Patrick Butler, Noel Fitzpatrick, David McCafferty and Margaret Gargan (‘THE SPRINGHILL INQUEST’) Ruling (Number 12) On deployment of Intelligence material [2024] NICoroner 34