British government has used rubber bullets in Northern Ireland despite being aware that they could be lethal, a human rights group says.
According to documents uncovered at the National Archives by the Pat Finucane Centre civil rights group, Britainâ„¢s Ministry of Defence (MoD) knew rubber bullets, used during 1972 and 1973 rioting in Northern Ireland, could cause serious injuries but has hidden the truth from victims.
The documents relate to a compensation claim brought by lawyers for Richard Moore, who was blinded by a rubber bullet in 1972 at the age of 10. Moore was shot in the eye by a soldier from an army checkpoint.
The papers, dating back to 1977, warned a court case would expose the British government to political embarrassment if Moore’s lawyers gained access to certain documents.
Å“If the ministry knew, did the minister know? Did the Cabinet know? The prime minister? Å“, Paul O’Connor of the Pat Finucane Centre said.
“It is reasonable to ask whether the Cabinet approved the use of rubber bullets knowing they were potentially lethal.”
SSM/MOS/HE
This article originally appeared on: Press TV