‘The official story doesn’t add up’ – Campaign calls for inquiry into Michael Leonard killing



A campaign for an inquiry into the killing of Donegal man Michael Leonard is being launched in Leinster House tomorrow.

 

The 24 year old from Pettigo, died on May 17, 1973, just inside the Fermanagh border as he attempted to make his way home.

 

This year marks the 50th anniversary of his killing.

 

Michael Leonard was killed just 200 metres from the border after a car chase between Belleek and Pettigo.

 

With new evidence in the British Ministry of Defence records having emerged, the family are now renewing calls for a fresh inquiry.

 

They say the evidence proves that Michael was deliberately targeted and shot at multiple times by police before he could reach the border.

 

Donegal TD Pearse Doherty will speak at the launch of a booklet calling for an inquiry to be held into his killing.

 

Other speakers include Fr Joe McVeigh, a first cousin of Michael Leonard who has campaigned for justice for Michael for 50 years, and researcher and campaigner, Ciarán MacAirt.

 

In a statement, Deputy Doherty says that the Leonard family have had to wait so long for justice.

 

While Sinn Féin MLA for Fermanagh and South Tyrone, Jemma Dolan added that
the emergence of new evidence in this case proves what the family have always known: that the official story doesn’t add up.



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