SDLP West Tyrone MLA Daniel McCrossan has welcomed justice for the family of Aidan McAnespie following a court verdict in the case today.

Mr McAnespie was shot dead in February 1988, in Aughnacloy while walking through a checkpoint.

Mr McCrossan said the case was yet another example why the British government’s legacy bill could not proceed.

West Tyrone MLA Mr McCrossan said:

“The thoughts of the SDLP are with the McAnespie family today following this verdict. They have faced a long journey in their fight to get justice for Aidan’s death and I hope they will take comfort from the judge’s findings today.

“This is a landmark case in that it shows it’s still possible for victims and their families to get truth and justice for crimes committed in the past. Today it was the McAnespie family, but there are thousands of victims and families across the North who still live in hope of holding perpetrators responsible for their actions.

“The British government must now realise that there should be no prospect of any amnesty or an end to prosecutions for those accused of crimes. Their legacy bill is opposed by victims’ groups and every party here and it cannot be allowed to proceed. There can be no hiding place for anyone involved in some of the worst incidents in our past and I commend the McAnespie family for their determination and refusal to give up until justice for Aidan was secured.”