Amnesty Backs Family's Call For Investigation Into Daughter's Death

The family of a 12-year-old girl fatally wounded during the Troubles in Northern Ireland is demanding an investigation into her death.

Amnesty International says Majella O'Hare, from County Armagh, had been walking to church in August 1976 when she was hit by two bullets and later died.

Amnesty is helping to organise a campaign for her family as part of its wider effort to ensure former Armed Forces members during the 30-year conflict are not "above the law".

A soldier was charged with manslaughter in relation to the young girl's death, but acquitted in court, claiming they had fired in response to an IRA sniper attack.

In 2011, the UK Government issued an apology to the O'Hare family in a letter.

The family has now written to the Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) requesting an independent investigation.

Amnesty, meanwhile, has gathered testimony from witnesses of the 1976 incident.

Cover image: PA.