Hegarty family 'fighting lifetime for truth, justice and accountability'
'Further evidence that the British Government’s approach to legacy - shutting down justice - will never work for those who have lost the most'
In a statement to Derry News following the death of ‘Soldier B’, SDLP Leader Colum Eastwood said: "Daniel Hegarty was shot and killed more than fifty years ago. It is a damning indictment on this society that his family have had to fight a lifetime for truth, justice and accountability. And it is further evidence that the British Government’s approach to legacy - shutting down justice - will never work for those who have lost the most.
“There have been serious institutional failings in this case that have badly let the Hegarty family down. The PPS decision to drop the case in 2021 was a significant blow and forced this family to fight again for their right to justice.
“The Hegarty family have again demonstrated grace in their response to this news. There is no victory for anyone in any of this. Families like the Hegarty's deserve the truth and they deserve justice. That should be the focus of political leaders across these islands.”