Thomas Burns

Tommy Burns was shot in the chest as he attempted to leave Glenpark Social Club, Glenpark Street, Belfast, on 13 July 1972, at approximately 1am. He was shot using a high velocity weapon deployed by a member of the Royal Regiment of Wales. He died in the Royal Victoria Hospital a short time later. The MOD have never disputed responsibility for the killing.

On his death Mr Burns left behind his widow Kathleen and four young children aged between 11 and 3 years of age.

An inquest into Mr Burns’ death in April 1973 returned a verdict of misadventure. Mr Burns’ daughter Patricia Burns achieved the quashing of this verdict on the basis that it was wrong in that it suggested some complicity by Mr Burns in his own death.

In June 2019 the Attorney General for Northern Ireland, Mr John Larkin QC confirmed that Mr Burns was an innocent unarmed civilian who was shot dead without justification but rejected the request for a fresh inquest.

An inquest directed In March 2023 was stalled following the passing of the Legacy Act.

The significant payment to the daughter of Tommy Burns settles the ongoing civil action against the MOD and the PSNI Chief Constable which was issued in April 2019.

Ms Burns said today; “On 13 July 1972, the army killed my father, an innocent man, for no reason and deprived me and my brothers of our father at a very young age. This was after he had served in the British Royal Navy for 8 years overseas. I only wish my mum Kathleen had lived to see the settlement of this civil action.

“We remain hopeful of state accountability for our father’s killing through the fresh inquest process which was granted in 2023 but cruelly withdrawn under the Tory government Legacy Act.

“In August 2026 we asked for a meeting with the British Prime Minister and the Secretary of State to discuss the reopening of the inquest we fought so hard to get. This settlement of the civil action against the Ministry of Defence is just one legal mechanism in what is required to correct the public record about my father’s unjustified killing. Our campaign will continue. “

Patricia Coyle of Harte Coyle Collins, Solicitors & Advocates acting for Ms Burns said today: “We are delighted to have negotiated this settlement of the civil action for our clients. It is not lost on the family of Tommy Burns that they have had to wait 54 years to get to this point.

“We have written to the Solicitor General for England & Wales for our clients requesting that the fresh legacy inquest be re-opened for the family. We also note and await with interest the potential impact of the new proposed “Hillsborough Law” imposing a legal duty of candour on state agencies, including the security services, to proactively tell the truth and assist legal processes from the onset, on the cohort of legacy cases in Northern Ireland.

“Such legislation, if passed to include Northern Ireland and the full range of state agencies, can only assist those searching for information and justice through our courts regarding state involvement in the deaths of their loved ones.”