Today marks 36 years since Aidan McAnespie was shot on his way to a Gaelic football match in Co Tyrone. Mr McAnespie was shot dead close to a checkpoint near Aughnacloy on the Monaghan-Tyrone border as he walked to a GAA match. The 23-year-old was on his way to a GAA match when the fatal bullet ricocheted off the road and struck him in the back before exiting via the front of his chest. He died at the scene.
53-year-old David Holden who was a British soldier was found guilty of Aidan's manslaughter in 2022 and last year was handed down a three-year suspended sentence. Speaking to Northern Sound today on his 36th anniversary, Margaret Urwin of the Justice For The Forgotten campaign group said that the resilience of the McAnespie family now gives inspiration to others who are seeking truth and justice for their loved ones.
"We were very pleased to find justice in the McAnespie case after so many years," said Margaret. "The resilience of the families never ceases to amaze me and their desire to keep pressing on in the hope of getting to the truth."
