Aidan McAnespie 30 years...

Most people who have grown up following Celtic will probably be familiar with the ballad in Aidan's memory.

Just to let people know, it's the 30th anniversary of his death today.

His family are still fighting for truth and justice.

Just recently the southern government refused a request to release details of the report conducted into the circumstances surrounding his killing.

RIP Aidan and solidarity to the McAnespie family.

 

RIP Aidan

 

Why did you do it, have you not the guts to say...

 

I always thought Aughnacloy was a Nationalist town until I went through recently and seen.

Cowardly * who did it, hope beyond hope he's brought to justice.

 

A confidential report into the fatal shooting of a 23-year-old Tyrone man as he walked across the border to a GAA match 30 years ago cannot be released, the Minister for Justice has said.

Minister Charlie Flanagan said the Crowley Report into the shooting of Aidan McAnespie cannot be released as it would be "a breach of trust" to the people who contributed to it on "an assurance of absolute confidentiality."

Full article: https://www.rte.ie/news/2018/0221/942408-aidan-mcanespie/

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Despicable. The need to save the face of the British Army and the ensuing cover-up takes precedence over a family's request to know the truth about their son being shot dead in the street while going to a GAA game.

I hope the perpetrator is tormented every single moment of his remaining life.

RIP Aidan, the fight for justice goes on.

 

Me da only text me the other week saying the GAA had asked the government to release the findings in their report. The fact that information about the murder of an Irishman is known but being kept secret is absolute madness.

 

It's even more galling given the fact that members of the southern government and media establishment frequently demand that Sinn Féin share information about deaths involving the IRA even though a significant portion of Sinn Féin reps in the south are too young to have been ever involved in the RA.

 

RIP

https://www.rte.ie/news/ulster/2018...otification+#74640738_133759449&utm_content=A

 

Good news.

 

or/and absolute british crown state policy!

 

Hopefully some justice will be done

 

Justice has been done here, and I don’t think anybody ever thought it could be.


His name should be laid to rest now, he has a beautiful song but his family and him as a young man never wanted to be a martyr. It’s the best thing that we could do in his memory now,

 

As someone who lost a family member to loyalists using weapons from the glenanne gang, state sponsored murder, I hope we continue you sing in honour of Aidans name.

There will be a border poll here soon, with many young people casting a vote thats not lived through those recent times.

And its good to shine lights on British corruption and collusion. Their state sponsored cover ups that comes part and parcel of there occupation.

Aidan was no threat to them alive, but by * hes hunting them from the grave.
We stand united with his family!!

 

Was mates with his nephew in New Zealand… he hated talking about it but did appreciate the song

 

Very welcoming this is and another historic moment up north although will thst murdering * ever see the inside of a cell is what everyone will want to know. If he does, I can't see it being more than a year or two.

 

• Aidan McAnespie's GAA Club Release Powerful Statement After Killer Found Guilty

Aidan McAnespie's GAA Club Release Powerful Statement After Killer Found Guilty

By Rory CassidyUPDATED Nov 26, 2022 11:04 PM
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Former British soldier David Holden has been found guilty of the manslaughter of Aidan McAnespie who was shot on his way to a GAA match in February 1988.

McAnespie was killed in Aughnacloy, Co. Tyrone as he walked through a checkpoint.

Holden, who was a member of Grenadier Guards had previously admitted shooting McAnespie but claimed it was accidental.

McAnespie, who was just 23 at the time, died when a bullet ricocheted off the road and hit in the back.

Holden claimed that he had accidentally fired due to his hands being wet. He was 18 at the time.

The non-jury trial at Belfast Crown Court dismissed Holden's claim.

Trial judge Mr Justice O'Hara stated that he was satisfied beyond reasonable doubt that Holden was guilty of manslaughter gross negligence.

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There was emotional scenes in court when the verdict was declared. Members of the McAnespie family spoke outside the court. After decades they finally believe they have got justice.

"We waited 34 years, we never thought we would have got it," McAnespie's brother Sean said.

"I'm thinking of my father and my mother that prayed and prayed for this day, and they're not here to see it.

"As a family we're very relieved and happy. We've such a big family, cousins, community and relations to help us through this, it took the whole lot to get us over the line."

Aidan McAnespie was a member of the Aghaloo O'Neill's club in Tyrone and was travelling to a match against Kileeshil on the day he was killed. On Friday evening, his club released a statement to Balls,ie commending Aidan's family.

Achadh Lú Uí Neill want to pay tribute to the family of Aidan McAnespie who have campaigned with dignity over the past 34 years.

Aidan McAnespie was harassed by the British Army and RUC, for years before being shot dead by a British soldier in Aughnacloy on his way to our GAA grounds.

Despite years of delays, lies and cover-up by the British state, the McAnespies remained steadfast in their search for justice for Aidan.

They should be commended for their courage, determination, and dignity.

Achadh Lú Uí Neill are proud to stand with the McAnespie family

Brian Gormley, McAnespie's cousin, also welcomed the ruling.

"Some people will wonder why do families persist for 34 years following cases this old. Well it's very clear: John - Aidan's father - the day that the PPS announced that David Holden was going to be prosecuted, said the only demand he had is that he hears the truth, because as a family we did not believe the version of events that David Holden or the British government put out at the time of Aidan's shooting.

"I think we have been corroborated in terms of Justice O'Hara's ruling today."

McAnespie has a GAA club named after him in Boston.