A campaign for an inquiry into the killing of Donegal man Michael Leonard is to be launched in Leinster House on Thursday.
Michael Leonard (24) of Lettercran, Pettigo, died on May 17, 1973, just inside the Fermanagh border as he attempted to make his way home. He 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.
The family have long been seeking a fresh inquest and this year will mark 50 years since his killing.
Donegal Sinn Féin TD Pearse Doherty will this week speak at the launch of a booklet calling for an inquiry to be held into the killing of Michael Leonard. The event will take place in the AV Room at Leinster House on Thursday, 2nd March at 2pm.
Other speakers include Father Joe McVeigh, a first cousin of Michael Leonard who has campaigned for justice for Michael for 50 years, and researcher and campaigner, Ciarán MacAirt.
Teachta Doherty said: “The Leonard family have had to wait so long for justice. I want to see the Department of Foreign Affairs bring the demand for an inquiry into his killing to the attention of the British government.”
Sinn Féin MLA for Fermanagh and South Tyrone, Jemma Dolan added: “The emergence of new evidence in this case proves what the family have always known: that the official story doesn’t add up.”
